052/052B Class Destroyers

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

andyhugfan said:

PLAN wasted precious time. They could have commisioned 8 of 052C's by now if they didnt stop building. Or they should've sped up the 052D and have 3 of them commisioned by now. At least they have enough modern FFG's.

Click to expand...

The break in between has a lot to do with China trying to master the technologies put into the 052C as well as locally producing all the key components, especially the powerplants. Ships built in-between this period were mainly stop-gap but ultimately the 052C goes into serial production.

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

andyhugfan said:

PLAN wasted precious time. They could have commisioned 8 of 052C's by now if they didnt stop building. Or they should've sped up the 052D and have 3 of them commisioned by now. At least they have enough modern FFG's.

Click to expand...

Well, from an outside perspective it may seem that they have "waisted" time...but I am sure the PLAN is proceeding along its own plan towards it's goals and that their time is all scheduled out and accounted for and moving towards their goals...which clearly were not to have 8 052Cs at this point. And with the PLAN, if there is a hickup in their plans, we do not know about it anyway.

But, my own guess is that they had every reason for their current schedule (perhaps waiting for crews to be trained up, or for issues they found with the 1st two vessels to be completely fixed and proven out in trials of these new ships, or dealing with the upcoming "D" vessels...whatever the reason), and that the time has come now for them to proceed.

The "C" model will have six examples, and the "D" model will now be in some sort of serial production. Will it be four, six, eight, or more? We just do not know...but I am thinking 8-12 of them given the other vessels they have built or are contemplating building which need that type of protection, in addition to the normal needs of their fleets and operations.

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

Uhh the "break" in 052C construction was because of JN's relocation to the new shipyard, wasn't it?

It is the move to this new shipyard which is allowing us to see the breakneck construction rate now. The lull in construction is completely worth it.

Besides, PLAN needed a few years to absorb the massive leap in capability 052C brought anyway. They probably couldn't have absorbed 8 052Cs one after another. This way, they've acquainted themselves with the tech and capability and allows them to absorb a sudden onslaught of 052Cs and 052Ds much more readily.


Btw Jeff, hmmvw posted over on CDF some credible prospects for 052D.

It seems now the word on the street is that a total of 16 052Ds have been ordered, by the end of 2013 we will see a total of 8 052Ds at various stages of construction. Of which five or six will be at JNCX (3 launched, 2 in assembly hall, 1 in modules) and two will be at DL (1 launched, 1 in modules). Later this year JN will start 055 construction, only one hull has been ordered, the size of that contract will depend on how well its construction is executed.

So the delivery of DDGs at JN might look like this:

2012: C6, D1, D2 launched
2013: C3, 4, 5 commissioning, D3 launch
2014: C6, D1 commissioning, D4, 5 launch
2015: D2, 3 commissioning, D6, 055 launch
2016: D4, 5 commissioning, D7, 8 launch
2017: 055 commissioning

Click to expand...

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

Bltizo said:

Btw Jeff, hmmvw posted over on CDF some credible prospects for 052D.

Click to expand...

Wow...sixteen 52Ds? That will be something to see, and it sounds like they will be producing them at two per year, so by 2020 we will see six "Cs" and all sixteen "Ds", and at least one 055 if not two. That's a significant force of 23-24 very strong DDGs. not to mention the two 051Cs, two 052Bs, and probably still at least the last two Sovs in service by that time. 30 very capable DDGs...now that is something.

Probably also in that time frame, we will see at least one more carrier, at least one more 071 and perhaps a follow on LHD, and probably a total of 24 054A FFGs and perhaps some 054Bs too.

Probably at least 30 Type 056s by then.

That's upwards of 95 new, modern very capable major surface combatants, and does not include the subs, or all of the logistical vessels.

As I have said...the balance of naval power in the Western Pacific is changing rapidly and you can expect Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India to cotninue to try and keep pace, though I believe, at best, collectively they may manage to do so. The US in that time frame will be growing too, albeit at a slower rate...but just the same more Flight IIA Burkes, the introduction of the Flight III Burkes, numerous LCS vessels in that time frame...probably 8-10 of each class altogether, all three Zumwalts, two more Ford class carriers, etc.

Very interesting and exciting times for naval technology enthusiasts. Let's just hope it all serves to keep a lid on tensions as opposed to stoking them.

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

o52 D2 & D3

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

hmmm, just wonder how big the budget of PLAN in 2020, my guess is $100B minimum (from total $350B PLA budget)

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

A.Man said:

o52 D2 & D3

Click to expand...

That 052D looks awesome! Am I correct in saying that the 052D is the same weight class and hull size as the 052C?

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

Dizasta1 said:

That 052D looks awesome! Am I correct in saying that the 052D is the same weight class and hull size as the 052C?

Click to expand...

Same hull...but 052D may be a few hundred tons heavier. The difference of course is in the new PARS (and what lies behind them), the new VLS system and the upgrade to the CIWS with the FL-3000N launcher above the Hanger.

And those are huge improvements for the PLAN. Here's a pic with the a "C" and "D" side by side for comparison, and a link to my site about the "D":

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

Dizasta1 said:

That 052D looks awesome! Am I correct in saying that the 052D is the same weight class and hull size as the 052C?

Click to expand...

They weigh almost exactly the same. I'd say the difference is less than 100 tons, if even that. The larger radar panels are only a few tons heavier in total, same with the additional VLS cells, same with the HQ-10 launcher replacement of the Type 730 in the back. This is actually counterbalanced by the fact that the rear section of the 052D has a lesser volume than that of the 052C. I did a more detailed breakdown of weight differences some posts back. You can search for it if you're interested.

re: PLAN Type 052 Class Destroyer

Jeff Head said:

Same hull...but 052D may be a few hundred tons heavier. The difference of course is in the new PARS (and what lies behind them), the new VLS system and the upgrade to the CIWS with the FL-3000N launcher above the Hanger.

And those are huge improvements for the PLAN. Here's a pic with the a "C" and "D" side by side for comparison, and a link to my site about the "D":

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...

It's too bad the 052D will still have inferior ASW suite. That is one area of concentration where I feel PLAN needs to focus more R & D on is ship internal ASW electronics and sonar technologies. You can have the best surface combatant in the world but if your ASW is your weakling it'll all go up in smoke (literally) when even a couple of 3rd world SSK can sink your flagship or major combatants.

At least they are trying to make better submarines and improving their ASW air assets BUT there is no doubt PLAN's major weakness is below the keel where eyes can't typically see.