 052B 168 Guangzhou 
|
Since the single 051B Luhai class DDG armed only with short-range HHQ-7 SAMs
was launched in 1997, it has been speculated that Chinese were designing their next generation DDG (Type
052B?) which will possess a true fleet air-defence capability. This capability is established upon the
new HHQ-9 medium/long-range SAMs (similar to Russian SA-N-6), possibly vertically launched from the
platform in front of the bridge, and a new 3D multirole phased array radar combing electronic and
mechanical scans like French ARABEL. However it was also speculated that the ship will be fitted with
either locally designed LY-60N or imported SA-N-6/S-300F VLS as the HHQ-9 system may not be ready yet
(two S-300F systems were ordered in April 2002). As the result, the ship might be designed to have an
extended point defence capability against saturated attack rather than to have a fleet defence capability.
The new DDG will likely be based on the hull of Luhai (6,000-7,000t displacement) but having more
advanced stealth designs with large smooth and angled surfaces, a common feature among the new generaton
of European FFGs such as French La Fayette class. In addition, a new 100mm main
gun similar to French Creusot-Loire 100mm (Type 210) but with a stealth turret is installed at the B
postion. Other features include a single raised helicopter hanger (housing a
Ka-28 ASW helicopter?) relocated on the port side (the starboard side may be fitted with HHQ-7 VLS?), two
Type 730 CIWS similar to Dutch Goalkeeper located on both sides behind the
bridge (a 3rd one may be fitted on top of the helicopter hanger), 4 large caliber MLRS (for decoys?) in front of the bridge and behind the VLS, 4 quadruple
YJ-82/83 SSM launchers at midship behind the funnel, and a CODOG propulsion
system with DA80/DN80 gas turbines from Ukraine. Since 2000, three hulls are being constructed at
Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, with the first ship launched on May 25, 2002 and the second ship
(169) launched in October 2002. A bigger design (Type 052C? 7,000-8,000t)
similar to USN Burke class DDG armed with the Aegis system was rumored to be under construction at the
Dalian Shipyard, but this has not been confirmed.
|
|
Sovremenny 136 Hangzhou
|
In 1996 an $800m deal was reached to
purchase two Sovremenny class destroyers (Type 956E 8,400t
full load) from Russia which were initially built for Soviet Navy. After prolonged negotiations
and delays caused by financial problems of the shipyard as well as disagreement over selection
of the onboard weapon systems, the first vessel was finally launched at the North Shipyard in
St. Petersburg on Feburary 15, and the second on April 16, 1999. The first ship sailed back to
China in early January 2000 under the command of a mixed Chinese and Russian crew, but without
any SS-N-22 missiles onboard. The first batch of the missiles (24?) was delivered in May 2000
and the first successful test fire of the missile occurred in November. The second ship (137 Fuzhou) sailed back to China in January 2001, carrying 8
Sunburn missiles. Currently both ships are in service with the East Sea Fleet facing Japan
and Taiwan. As the largest and most powerful warship ever to enter PLAN service, its 8 SS-N-22 SSMs (3M80E/Sunburn, active/passive radar homing to
160km at Mach 2.5) are a direct response to US CVBG's presence in the western Pacific, and its
44 SA-N-7 SAMs (semi-active radar/IR homing to 25km at Mach 3, multiple
fire channels) will provide PLAN for the first time a true fleet air-defence capability. 4 Ka-28 ASW
helicopters were ordered separately to be carried by the two ships. There is little doubt that Sovremenny class DDG will enable PLAN to project its power beyond
China's traditional territory. It was reported that China planned to acquire two more ships (Type
956EM) upgraded with a new combat control system and 3M80E, 3M54E and 3M55 SSM/SAMs. This $1 billion
contract was signed in January 2002 and the first ship is expected to be delivered in 2005.
|
|
Luhai 167 Shenzhen
|
Luhai 167 is the single largest indigenous
warship in PLAN's inventory (Type 051B, 6,100t standard). Launched in October 1997 at
Dalian Shipyard and commissioned in late 1998, it is currently stationed in Zhan Jiang, a major naval base of the South Sea Fleet.
The second ship (168?) was rumored under construction but this appears to be false. Compared
with the previous Luhu class, this class has a stretched hull incorporated with certain
stealth features including a streamlined upper structure with inclined angle, two solid masts
with fewer protruding electronic sensor arrays. Main powerplant is locally manufactured
boilers (Type 453B?) which give it a top speed of 30kt. New Rice Shield/Type 381C 3D air
search radar, Type 360S air/surface search radar and Type 347 fire-control radar were also installed.
Its weapon systems are not much different from those onboard Luhu, including 16 YJ-82/YJ-83
SSM (YJ-83: speed 1.5M, range of 160km, with mid-course correction
provided by shipborne helicopter via datalink), one twin 100mm main gun (60rd/min), two triple 324mm
torpedo launchers (Yu-7, range 10km @ 40kt) and 4 twin 37mm AA guns on top of a large helicopter
hanger. The hanger was designed to house two Ka-28 ASW helicopters bought from Russia, but currently
accommodates indigenous Z-9Cs as a stop-gap measure. The onboard
ECM, electro-optical sensors and C3I systems appear to be generally similar to those
installed on Luhu. However an improved combat data system is
believed to be installed. Surprisingly the ship is protected only by HHQ-7/Cortale short-range SAMs
in a single octuple launcher (6s/rd), an arrangement which appears ineffective against modern
sea-skimming missiles attacking from multiple directions. However the stepped structure in front of
the bridge clearly indicates the ship was designed with VLS in mind. The introduction of Luhai
class indicates that the construction of 052 Luhu DDG was terminated.
|
|
Luhu 112 Harbin
|
The brand-new Luhu 112 DDG lies quietly in a naval base after recent weapon
upgrades. They include a new "stealth" twin 100 main gun (first seen fitted on Jiangwei II 567)
and 4 quadruple YJ-82/83 SSM launchers. Only 2 Luhu class DDGs (Type
052, 4,800t full load, speed 32kt) were built between 1988 and 1993, with the second ship 113 Qingdao becoming operational in 1996, two years after the commission
of 112. However due to the US embargo on further exports, 112 became the only PLAN warship powered by 2
GE LM-2500 gas turbines and 113 uses Ukraine engines instead. This may have contributed to the
termination of further construction of this class.
Compared to the old Luda class DDG, this class represents a significant step forward in terms of
weapon and electronic systems. Its primary surface-to-surface weapons are 8 YJ-81/YJ-82 sea-skimming
SSMs (C-801A or C-802/CSS-N-8, active radar homing to 85/120km at
Mach 0.9, the improved version has a range of 180km) and a PJ33A twin 100mm gun (36rd/min, controlled
by Type 344 radar). Its air-defence systems include 32 Thomson-CSF Sea Crotale/HHQ-7 SAMs (IR/TV/radar
homing to 13km at Mach 2.4, 8 rounds ready to launch) and 4 twin 37mm Type 76A/715 automatic AA guns
(760rd/min), thus it still lacks the fleet defence capability beyond visual range. The various onboard
systems are integrated together by Thomson-CSF TAVITAC combat automation
system. In addition, there are some differences between 113 and 112, including a redesigned funnel to
reduce IR signature and the indigenous FM-80N/HQ-7 SAM system. The Thomson-CSF Sea Tiger air/surface
search radar was also replaced by the indigenous Type 360 search radar. In general, Luhu class
represents PLAN's first attempt to build a true "blue water" navy and it was quickly superseded by the
bigger and more advanced Luhai as well as Soveremenny class DDGs.
|
|
Luda 166 Zhuhai
|
Luda 166 DDG was photographed as being inspected by the Chinese
leaders during the exercise in October 1995. Though an old design, it has been extensively
modernized primarily for ASW missions known as Luda III class (Type 051G2, 3,730t full
load, speed 32kt). So far only one vessel was identified (166, 168
for overseas deployment), but more Luda Is might be upgraded to the Luda III
standard in the future. Its main features include four twin YJ-8 SSM
launchers, one triplet Whitehead A244 torpedo launcher and Thomson-CSF
TAVITAC combat automation system coupled with EFR-1 Rice Lamp fire control radar, Sea Eagle (Type
381A) 3D air-search radar and VDS. It was speculated that the aft two twin SSM launchers might be
fitted with CY-1 anti-submarine missiles comparable to American ASROC
system (range 15km, payload Whitehead A244 torpedo, passive/active homing), but this turned out to
be false. However it does not carry any ASW helicopters. The latest news suggested that the elder
Luda 165 (Type 051G1) is undergoing weapon upgrades which
include two new 100mm twin main guns with stealth turrets, an HHQ-7 SAM launcher (X position) and
4 quadruple YJ-82/83 SSM launchers.
|
|
Luda 109 Kaifeng
|
This photo of Luda 109 firing chaff reveals the Luda
modernization program. The program was presumably started in the early-90s and intended to
provide the ship a stronger anti-surface capability as well as a limited anti-air capability.
The main upgrades (for Luda I) include four quadruple YJ-82/C-802 SSM launchers replacing two triple HY-2 SAM launchers,
one octuple HQ-7/Sea Crotale SAM launcher in X gun position, three twin 37mm automatic AA
guns replacing the old manually operated AA guns (however the original 25mm at midship were
retained). New electronics are also seen from the photo including Type 347 fire-control radar
(for 37mm) and French TSR 3004 Sea Tiger air/surface search radar plus chaff launchers and ECM
jammers. However onboard 110 the old Type 343 radar which controlled the 100mm gun was replaced
by the improved Type 343G. Combat automation system comparable to
French TACITAC was also believed to have been installed. So far at least two vessels (110 & 109) were seen upgraded to this standard (Type 051DT). More
Luda Is may undergo the upgrade in the future if the budget is allowed.
|
|
Home
Since the single 051B Luhai class DDG armed only with short-range HHQ-7 SAMs
was launched in 1997, it has been speculated that Chinese were designing their next generation DDG (Type
052B?) which will possess a true fleet air-defence capability. This capability is established upon the
new HHQ-9 medium/long-range SAMs (similar to Russian SA-N-6), possibly vertically launched from the
platform in front of the bridge, and a new 3D multirole phased array radar combing electronic and
mechanical scans like French ARABEL. However it was also speculated that the ship will be fitted with
either locally designed LY-60N or imported SA-N-6/S-300F VLS as the HHQ-9 system may not be ready yet
(two S-300F systems were ordered in April 2002). As the result, the ship might be designed to have an
extended point defence capability against saturated attack rather than to have a fleet defence capability.
The new DDG will likely be based on the hull of Luhai (6,000-7,000t displacement) but having more
advanced stealth designs with large smooth and angled surfaces, a common feature among the new generaton
of European FFGs such as French La Fayette class. In addition, a new 100mm main
gun similar to French Creusot-Loire 100mm (Type 210) but with a stealth turret is installed at the B
postion. Other features include a single raised helicopter hanger (housing a
Ka-28 ASW helicopter?) relocated on the port side (the starboard side may be fitted with HHQ-7 VLS?), two
Type 730 CIWS similar to Dutch Goalkeeper located on both sides behind the
bridge (a 3rd one may be fitted on top of the helicopter hanger), 4 large caliber MLRS (for decoys?) in front of the bridge and behind the VLS, 4 quadruple
YJ-82/83 SSM launchers at midship behind the funnel, and a CODOG propulsion
system with DA80/DN80 gas turbines from Ukraine. Since 2000, three hulls are being constructed at
Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, with the first ship launched on May 25, 2002 and the second ship
(169) launched in October 2002. A bigger design (Type 052C? 7,000-8,000t)
similar to USN Burke class DDG armed with the Aegis system was rumored to be under construction at the
Dalian Shipyard, but this has not been confirmed.
In 1996 an $800m deal was reached to
purchase two Sovremenny class destroyers (Type 956E 8,400t
full load) from Russia which were initially built for Soviet Navy. After prolonged negotiations
and delays caused by financial problems of the shipyard as well as disagreement over selection
of the onboard weapon systems, the first vessel was finally launched at the North Shipyard in
St. Petersburg on Feburary 15, and the second on April 16, 1999. The first ship sailed back to
China in early January 2000 under the command of a mixed Chinese and Russian crew, but without
any SS-N-22 missiles onboard. The first batch of the missiles (24?) was delivered in May 2000
and the first successful test fire of the missile occurred in November. The second ship (137 Fuzhou) sailed back to China in January 2001, carrying 8
Sunburn missiles. Currently both ships are in service with the East Sea Fleet facing Japan
and Taiwan. As the largest and most powerful warship ever to enter PLAN service, its 8 SS-N-22 SSMs (3M80E/Sunburn, active/passive radar homing to
160km at Mach 2.5) are a direct response to US CVBG's presence in the western Pacific, and its
44 SA-N-7 SAMs (semi-active radar/IR homing to 25km at Mach 3, multiple
fire channels) will provide PLAN for the first time a true fleet air-defence capability. 4 Ka-28 ASW
helicopters were ordered separately to be carried by the two ships. There is little doubt that Sovremenny class DDG will enable PLAN to project its power beyond
China's traditional territory. It was reported that China planned to acquire two more ships (Type
956EM) upgraded with a new combat control system and 3M80E, 3M54E and 3M55 SSM/SAMs. This $1 billion
contract was signed in January 2002 and the first ship is expected to be delivered in 2005.
Luhai 167 is the single largest indigenous
warship in PLAN's inventory (Type 051B, 6,100t standard). Launched in October 1997 at
Dalian Shipyard and commissioned in late 1998, it is currently stationed in Zhan Jiang, a major naval base of the South Sea Fleet.
The second ship (168?) was rumored under construction but this appears to be false. Compared
with the previous Luhu class, this class has a stretched hull incorporated with certain
stealth features including a streamlined upper structure with inclined angle, two solid masts
with fewer protruding electronic sensor arrays. Main powerplant is locally manufactured
boilers (Type 453B?) which give it a top speed of 30kt. New Rice Shield/Type 381C 3D air
search radar, Type 360S air/surface search radar and Type 347 fire-control radar were also installed.
Its weapon systems are not much different from those onboard Luhu, including 16 YJ-82/YJ-83
SSM (YJ-83: speed 1.5M, range of 160km, with mid-course correction
provided by shipborne helicopter via datalink), one twin 100mm main gun (60rd/min), two triple 324mm
torpedo launchers (Yu-7, range 10km @ 40kt) and 4 twin 37mm AA guns on top of a large helicopter
hanger. The hanger was designed to house two Ka-28 ASW helicopters bought from Russia, but currently
accommodates indigenous Z-9Cs as a stop-gap measure. The onboard
ECM, electro-optical sensors and C3I systems appear to be generally similar to those
installed on Luhu. However an improved combat data system is
believed to be installed. Surprisingly the ship is protected only by HHQ-7/Cortale short-range SAMs
in a single octuple launcher (6s/rd), an arrangement which appears ineffective against modern
sea-skimming missiles attacking from multiple directions. However the stepped structure in front of
the bridge clearly indicates the ship was designed with VLS in mind. The introduction of Luhai
class indicates that the construction of 052 Luhu DDG was terminated.
The brand-new Luhu 112 DDG lies quietly in a naval base after recent weapon
upgrades. They include a new "stealth" twin 100 main gun (first seen fitted on Jiangwei II 567)
and 4 quadruple YJ-82/83 SSM launchers. Only 2 Luhu class DDGs (Type
052, 4,800t full load, speed 32kt) were built between 1988 and 1993, with the second ship 113 Qingdao becoming operational in 1996, two years after the commission
of 112. However due to the US embargo on further exports, 112 became the only PLAN warship powered by 2
GE LM-2500 gas turbines and 113 uses Ukraine engines instead. This may have contributed to the
termination of further construction of this class.
Compared to the old Luda class DDG, this class represents a significant step forward in terms of
weapon and electronic systems. Its primary surface-to-surface weapons are 8 YJ-81/YJ-82 sea-skimming
SSMs (C-801A or C-802/CSS-N-8, active radar homing to 85/120km at
Mach 0.9, the improved version has a range of 180km) and a PJ33A twin 100mm gun (36rd/min, controlled
by Type 344 radar). Its air-defence systems include 32 Thomson-CSF Sea Crotale/HHQ-7 SAMs (IR/TV/radar
homing to 13km at Mach 2.4, 8 rounds ready to launch) and 4 twin 37mm Type 76A/715 automatic AA guns
(760rd/min), thus it still lacks the fleet defence capability beyond visual range. The various onboard
systems are integrated together by Thomson-CSF TAVITAC combat automation
system. In addition, there are some differences between 113 and 112, including a redesigned funnel to
reduce IR signature and the indigenous FM-80N/HQ-7 SAM system. The Thomson-CSF Sea Tiger air/surface
search radar was also replaced by the indigenous Type 360 search radar. In general, Luhu class
represents PLAN's first attempt to build a true "blue water" navy and it was quickly superseded by the
bigger and more advanced Luhai as well as Soveremenny class DDGs.
Luda 166 DDG was photographed as being inspected by the Chinese
leaders during the exercise in October 1995. Though an old design, it has been extensively
modernized primarily for ASW missions known as Luda III class (Type 051G2, 3,730t full
load, speed 32kt). So far only one vessel was identified (166, 168
for overseas deployment), but more Luda Is might be upgraded to the Luda III
standard in the future. Its main features include four twin YJ-8 SSM
launchers, one triplet Whitehead A244 torpedo launcher and Thomson-CSF
TAVITAC combat automation system coupled with EFR-1 Rice Lamp fire control radar, Sea Eagle (Type
381A) 3D air-search radar and VDS. It was speculated that the aft two twin SSM launchers might be
fitted with CY-1 anti-submarine missiles comparable to American ASROC
system (range 15km, payload Whitehead A244 torpedo, passive/active homing), but this turned out to
be false. However it does not carry any ASW helicopters. The latest news suggested that the elder
Luda 165 (Type 051G1) is undergoing weapon upgrades which
include two new 100mm twin main guns with stealth turrets, an HHQ-7 SAM launcher (X position) and
4 quadruple YJ-82/83 SSM launchers.
This photo of Luda 109 firing chaff reveals the Luda
modernization program. The program was presumably started in the early-90s and intended to
provide the ship a stronger anti-surface capability as well as a limited anti-air capability.
The main upgrades (for Luda I) include four quadruple YJ-82/C-802 SSM launchers replacing two triple HY-2 SAM launchers,
one octuple HQ-7/Sea Crotale SAM launcher in X gun position, three twin 37mm automatic AA
guns replacing the old manually operated AA guns (however the original 25mm at midship were
retained). New electronics are also seen from the photo including Type 347 fire-control radar
(for 37mm) and French TSR 3004 Sea Tiger air/surface search radar plus chaff launchers and ECM
jammers. However onboard 110 the old Type 343 radar which controlled the 100mm gun was replaced
by the improved Type 343G. Combat automation system comparable to
French TACITAC was also believed to have been installed. So far at least two vessels (110 & 109) were seen upgraded to this standard (Type 051DT). More
Luda Is may undergo the upgrade in the future if the budget is allowed.
