052C/052D Class Destroyers

This news is significant, if you are sending a Type 052D to Iranian waters to exercise with the Iranian and Russian Navies there. It does not appear this exercise will use the Escort Task Force like the one in 2019. This means two Type 052D will be operating simultaneously in the Indian Ocean. Pic below looks like one of those typically shot by the JSMDF.



中国海军将派西宁舰-117导弹驱逐舰参加12月27至30日在阿曼湾地区举行的中俄伊海上联合演习。
Translated by Google
The Chinese Navy will send the Xining-117 guided missile destroyer to participate in the China-Russia-Iranian maritime joint exercise in the Gulf of Oman from December 27 to 30.

High-resolution launch images.

Why would they do some major work on DDG 150 which was commissioned in 2013? It is too early to do MLU for a 6 year old ship, and this looks like a major work instead of a routine maintenance. DDG 150 is the first ship of second batch of type 052C.

DDG 170 and 171 were commissioned in 2004 and 2005 are due for MLU yet we have not seen any photo of them being worked on.

Type 056 #582 was also commissioned in 2013, and is the lead ship of the class.

can someone remind me which units at DL sit ahead of those recently launched units? is it 2 x Type 052DL or 2 x Type 055?

asif iqbal said:

can someone remind me which units at DL sit ahead of those recently launched units? is it 2 x Type 052DL or 2 x Type 055?

Click to expand...

I think it's a 055 and 052D just like this pair.

I don't think 150 is getting MLU, just routine maintenance. We have also seen Type 054A getting all covered with scabbards, radars removed and replaced. One common theme with the radars being removed and replaced, is like this picture here, the Type 344 and 366 radars being covered, which means they were replaced. Replaced with the exact model, but there could be internal or mechanical improvements to the radar antenna. Mechanical radars are subject to wear and tear. With the Type 054A, the Type 382 radar also appears to be replaced. Why ship 150 goes into this earlier than 170 or 171, probably because the radars may have mechanically failed earlier than expected, or the ship has incurred some other problem, which brings the ship to maintenance and this is used as an opportunity to do parts replacements. Its also possible and likely that during maintenance, the ship's back end computing and electronics are also getting upgraded. In the case of 150 here, with the Type 346 radar being covered with scabbards, the radar might be getting an internal upgrade, such as the array modules being replaced, probably with a newer version or the same parts as those used with the Type 052D, to bring the radar to the same logistical level as those used with the Type 052D. This can also improves the radar's performance. Overtime, you can expect the modules of an AESA to gradually and randomly fail, which causes the radar performance to deteriorate, and which requires module replacement.

Previously a stripped down Type 054 frigate is spotted at this location. You need to look carefully to locate it. Seeing the 054 here, makes me think they are going through with its upgrade.

052 D型駆逐艦DDG-117“西寧”号がペルシャ湾に到着しました。
Translated from Japanese by
052 DDG-117 "Xining" has arrived in the Persian Gulf.

DDG-117 arriving in Iran.

(1600 × 1067)

Tam said:

This news is significant, if you are sending a Type 052D to Iranian waters to exercise with the Iranian and Russian Navies there. It does not appear this exercise will use the Escort Task Force like the one in 2019. This means two Type 052D will be operating simultaneously in the Indian Ocean. Pic below looks like one of those typically shot by the JSMDF.

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中国海军将派西宁舰-117导弹驱逐舰参加12月27至30日在阿曼湾地区举行的中俄伊海上联合演习。
Translated by Google
The Chinese Navy will send the Xining-117 guided missile destroyer to participate in the China-Russia-Iranian maritime joint exercise in the Gulf of Oman from December 27 to 30.

View attachment 56191

Click to expand...

What is the semi circle cut out in the ship? Some kind of stealth shape?

by78 said:

DDG-117 arriving in Iran.

(1600 × 1067)

Click to expand...

What is that ship in the background? A 054 frigate?