The Type 054A's value is not limited to the quality of any one sensor. Large numbers let a fleet place several escorts between a submarine and the carrier or other high-value target it seeks. The submarine must decide whether to fire on a cheaper escort and reveal its position or attempt to pass a ship that may detect it. If passive conditions are poor, the surface group can also use many active sonars to saturate the water with search energy rather than remaining quiet.
Notable Point · 1:18:59-1:20:24
How numerous frigates complicate submarine attack
A dense escort screen can trade acoustic discretion for aggressive active-sonar coverage and force submarines into costly tactical choices.