Both ships have missing thingies, 586 is missing her rotating antenna for her rear navigation radar. 153 is missing her entire set YJ-62 ASMs---maybe they're going to replace it with something else; her ESM units---maybe they will replace it with new ones; and her CIWS radars are all covered, which means they are either new, replaced or overhauled.
052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
I think the Type 052D will continue and even maybe Type 052E
add to that Type 055 and next Type 055A
add to that Type 055 and next Type 055A
Most likely another batch of 26 type 052 and another batch of 8 type 055 ships.
I think we are seeing a gradual evolution and refinement of the 052D class. I think we may not see an integrated mast that may hold the four panel X-band AESA on top like what the Type 055 has, but the Type 364 radar on top of the 052D can be replaced by the "Type 383" dual faced AESA that debuted on the Type 075. This may appear on top of the extended "DL" evolution we are seeing.
antiterror13
Brigadier
perhaps not 26 ... but 16x 052E and yes 8x 055A
I think that 25 units can be split into two groups:
1. 13 units of 052D and 052D+ carrying Z-9 or Ka-28.
2. 12 units of 052DL carrying ASW versions of Z-18 or Z-20.
My speculation is that the 13 units that accommodates Z-9/Ka-28 will join the existing fleet of 17 modern ships (this means all destroyers excepts the obsolete 051 Luda class; that would be 2 x 052, 1 x 051B, 2 x 052B, 2 x 051C, 4 x Sovremenny, 6 x 052C) to form a group of 30 modern destroyers. These will join the 30 054A frigates to form a 60 ship group. I think these would form what I would consider the 2nd tier force of the PLAN surface fleet.
052DL and 055 will be the 1st tier force, with both accommodates larger ASW helicopters like Z-18 or Z-20. I think they should be group together to form what I would call an ocean cruising force (远洋舰队). These ships will either form task forces with 075 and 071, in a similar way as the USN Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). Or they could form CSG's with the catapult equipped carriers.
Therefore, I think there should be at least another 4 units of 052DL which makes up a 2:1 ratio of 052DL and 055 (16:8).
In the long run, I think it depends on how 052 series will develop.
If a new 052E ships which excels at both ASW and air defense appears, then I think this new 052E will be produced along side 055A in a 1:1 ratio. I would expect this 052E to have at least 80 VLS cells and have two hangers for ASW Z-18/Z-20. That's pretty much a mini 055.
If the PLAN decide to go the division-of-labor route between air-defense and ASW. I think the current 052DL is good enough, along side an ASW frigate/destroyer that has better propulsion system than the 054's with 2 hangers accommodating ASW Z-18/Z-20.
The 052E route will result in larger ships, less in number, and more expensive per-unit cost. The division-of-labor route will result in smaller ships, more in number, less expensive per-unit-cost. Frankly speaking, I think the 052E route is better. But the division-of-labor route is more suitable to what the PLAN already operates.
On a second thought, I think it would also be great if the 052 series now evolve into a 052E/F dual. Both would have the same basic structure with IEP and accommodates large ASW helicopters like Z-18/Z-20. One with 64 (or 80) VLS and one hanger, the other with 48 VLS and two hangers.
If the ship changes its basic powerplant structure, they get a new Type number. That's why I am not sure if the ship goes IEP, that it will still be called a Type 052+letter. Same thing with the so called "Type 054B". If its a gas turbine or IEP or both, it may lose it 054 designation and gain a new one, like 057 or something. The current "054B" or "052E" might be working names, not the final names. The final 052+IEP might end up with an all new designation, perhaps Type 058.
Or Type 052E may refer to a ship that still retains the same 052D hull and powerplant structure, but may have all new sets of sensors. But how you may stretch the sensor change covers a wide range from incrementally affordable to all out expensive. An incremental change, like a 052DL variant that changed the Type 364 surface search radar on the top mast to the "Type 383" AESA first shown on the 075. Or more top end expensive, like the entire top mast is changed to an integrated mast that fits the four fixed faced AESA radar you see on top of the 055.
Or Type 052E may refer to a ship that still retains the same 052D hull and powerplant structure, but may have all new sets of sensors. But how you may stretch the sensor change covers a wide range from incrementally affordable to all out expensive. An incremental change, like a 052DL variant that changed the Type 364 surface search radar on the top mast to the "Type 383" AESA first shown on the 075. Or more top end expensive, like the entire top mast is changed to an integrated mast that fits the four fixed faced AESA radar you see on top of the 055.