re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer
So basically, to simplify, it has an area air defence capability. We have no idea what the specs of the 052C's and the 45's radar are but it's reasonable to assume they both 'can see for hundreds of kilometres in land, sea and air' as can hundreds of other radars in the world. In terms of air defence, the 45 has 36 long range missiles and 12 short while the 052C has 48 long and no short; overall, the 052C has a longer engagement distance although that barely matters. It seems to me the 45 has no distinctive advantage over the 052C that we know about, although we barely know anything about 052C electronics. The 45 does look more stealthy though, perhaps that might help.
To say the UK shipbuilding sector is cutting edge is quite inaccurate. Many of its systems on board their 45s are develop in partnership with France and Italy. No European country would be able to develop an advance navy able to compete with the US or China today without the cooperation of multiple countries. As stated by another post, the UK's defence budget just cannot handle the R&D of all the sectors of the military, the primary UK fighter the Typhoon was developed in conjunction with the rest of Europe save France. Even the UK's assault rifle was upgraded by H&K and not a domestic company.
IMHO I think it is safe to say no single European country can effectively compete with China anymore, not since 2007 when China overtook Germany's economy. However, when the Europeans actually stop arguing and design something in conjunction for once, their products are still world-class and in many cases above world-class.
So basically, to simplify, it has an area air defence capability. We have no idea what the specs of the 052C's and the 45's radar are but it's reasonable to assume they both 'can see for hundreds of kilometres in land, sea and air' as can hundreds of other radars in the world. In terms of air defence, the 45 has 36 long range missiles and 12 short while the 052C has 48 long and no short; overall, the 052C has a longer engagement distance although that barely matters. It seems to me the 45 has no distinctive advantage over the 052C that we know about, although we barely know anything about 052C electronics. The 45 does look more stealthy though, perhaps that might help.
To say the UK shipbuilding sector is cutting edge is quite inaccurate. Many of its systems on board their 45s are develop in partnership with France and Italy. No European country would be able to develop an advance navy able to compete with the US or China today without the cooperation of multiple countries. As stated by another post, the UK's defence budget just cannot handle the R&D of all the sectors of the military, the primary UK fighter the Typhoon was developed in conjunction with the rest of Europe save France. Even the UK's assault rifle was upgraded by H&K and not a domestic company.
IMHO I think it is safe to say no single European country can effectively compete with China anymore, not since 2007 when China overtook Germany's economy. However, when the Europeans actually stop arguing and design something in conjunction for once, their products are still world-class and in many cases above world-class.
