052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Based on the latest data, we know that the last member of the 3rd batch of Type 052D/DL destroyers now undergoing sea trials, with the 4th batch of Type 052D/DL destroyers (12 members in total) now under various stages of construction.
That means the PLAN would have 37 Type 052D/DLs in active service by the end of this decade.
According to the Wikipedia in Mandarin, the official Chinese governmental records did not specify that the Type 055s would be the ultimate successor to the Type 052D/DLs. Does that mean:
1. There will be an aditional 5th batch for the Type 052D/DLs series (with the Type 055 series running simultaneously); or
2. The Type 052D/DLs series will be ended with the 4th batch as the last (and continue with focus on with the Type 055 series alone); or
3. Succeed the Type 052D/DL series with a new class (aptly named Type 052E) with major upgrades over the Type 052D/DL series, such as larger displacement, larger engine power output, and larger/newer weaponry loadouts that are comparable to the Arleigh Burke class (with the Type 055 series running simultaneously)?
On another note: This also relates to the recent trend of newer destroyer designs of major navies, whereby we can see the significant increase in tonnage of the newer destroyer classes (also frigate classes too).
So does that mean the destroyers are expected to have around 10000 - 20000 tonnes in displacement as the standard norm in the coming future?
Because if that's the case, then it would be better for China to expand their military shipbuilding capacity right now in order to allow them to keep the capability of mass producting Type 055-scale destroyers in the future, just like how they are mass producing the Type 052D/DLs right now.
(On a slightly less-related note, newer frigate classes are approaching the displacement range of contemporary destroyters. So maybe the upcoming Type 054B would have similar upgrades as well?)
(Attached image below as decoration)
That means the PLAN would have 37 Type 052D/DLs in active service by the end of this decade.
According to the Wikipedia in Mandarin, the official Chinese governmental records did not specify that the Type 055s would be the ultimate successor to the Type 052D/DLs. Does that mean:
1. There will be an aditional 5th batch for the Type 052D/DLs series (with the Type 055 series running simultaneously); or
2. The Type 052D/DLs series will be ended with the 4th batch as the last (and continue with focus on with the Type 055 series alone); or
3. Succeed the Type 052D/DL series with a new class (aptly named Type 052E) with major upgrades over the Type 052D/DL series, such as larger displacement, larger engine power output, and larger/newer weaponry loadouts that are comparable to the Arleigh Burke class (with the Type 055 series running simultaneously)?
On another note: This also relates to the recent trend of newer destroyer designs of major navies, whereby we can see the significant increase in tonnage of the newer destroyer classes (also frigate classes too).
So does that mean the destroyers are expected to have around 10000 - 20000 tonnes in displacement as the standard norm in the coming future?
Because if that's the case, then it would be better for China to expand their military shipbuilding capacity right now in order to allow them to keep the capability of mass producting Type 055-scale destroyers in the future, just like how they are mass producing the Type 052D/DLs right now.
(On a slightly less-related note, newer frigate classes are approaching the displacement range of contemporary destroyters. So maybe the upcoming Type 054B would have similar upgrades as well?)
(Attached image below as decoration)
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Personally I think the design is pretty maxed already and they will only do minor changes going here on ---- if and if they would do any change at all.
My speculation is that they will change the Type 364 radar on top of the mast to the Type "368" aka SR68.
At the very most they may try to change the mast to an integrated one that houses an X-band AESA similar to the Type 055, and replacing all the mechanical fire control radars, but again, that's only my speculation.
I've heard rumours that Batch 4 will be 20 ships meaning total would be 45. Personally I think it would be a good idea to just make 45 052Ds and around 16-24 055s. They are fairly proven and dependable designs
052D design seems good enough. 64 VLS sounds little compared to Arleigh Burke but when you remove the land attack capability that ABs need (and China doesn't need as much since it's focus is nearer), the 052D is basically equivalent to the AB except a lot cheaper.
About 12 ships if you fill the last remaining pennants:
2nd Destroyer Division: 166, 160
3rd Destroyer Division: 135, 130
6th Destroyer Division: 158, 159
9th Destroyer Division: 176, 177, 178, 179
10th Destroyer Division: 125, 126, 127, 128
Each Destroyer Division is maxed up to 10 ships of 052X. 10th starts at 119, so it ends at 128 instead of 129.
After you complete the 12, then you start to retire the remaining destroyers, which would have been refitted 051B, 052B, and Pr 956. :
167, 168, 169, 136, 137, 138, 139.
Brings you to 19 ships. If they decided to use 129 anyway, that will be a total of 20 ships.
Type 055 will occupy 109 to 116, with destroyers 112, 113 (type 052) and 115, 116 (type 051C) retired to release their pennants for their replacements.
140 to 149, 180 to 189, 190 to 199, remain reserved if PLAN wants to add three more new destroyer divisions.
The real issue of 052D is not its armament, but seaworthiness, range and living condition. It is pretty exposed in the operation of anti-pirate in gulf of Aden. Fairly speaking in the current generation of PLAN surface combatant(056/A, 054A, 052D, 055) 052D has the worst living condition. It is said that 055 has fairly same crew number(about 300) with 052D(about 280) but with twice the tonnage so it has the best seaworthiness, range and living condition.
The point is, if PLAN's current role it to combat USN in a possile future west pacific scenario, it is completely OK for this kind of constraints currently on 052D. However, if PLAN's future goal is to become a real global navy, 052D is not nearly enough, in fact 054A would not be enough too. For this goal, PLAN need a 9000 tonne destroyer or just more 055, which is actually doable, and a 6000-7000 tonne frigate.
The point is, if PLAN's current role it to combat USN in a possile future west pacific scenario, it is completely OK for this kind of constraints currently on 052D. However, if PLAN's future goal is to become a real global navy, 052D is not nearly enough, in fact 054A would not be enough too. For this goal, PLAN need a 9000 tonne destroyer or just more 055, which is actually doable, and a 6000-7000 tonne frigate.
I expect future frigates and destroyers of the PLA will be significantly bigger as well. After all China has reached a stage of shipbuilding prowess where increased size is of minimal cost to the PLA
