One of the 4th batch 052Ds conducting sea trial. This one is alleged to be named "Cangzhou", with the pennant number 125. Posted by @種花家的小姐姐2 on Weibo.
052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Building pace is definitely a bit more "relaxed", though I wouldnt want to jump to conclusion as to why that is. Personally I am hoping they move that (presumed) 055 over from Dagoshan soon. And of course it will be interesting what else goes into that dock, though I wouldnt be surprised if they build something civilian first either.
Few possibilities which I could think of:
1. The present readily-trained manpower assignment process across the PLAN isn't yet sufficiently fast and large enough to catch up with the speed of construction of the new DDGs for the time being; and/or
2. The MLU of Liaoning since last year (especially during her re-fitting out work after launch) taking some manpower away from the DDG's construction; and/or
3. Changes in the shipbuilding plans by the PLAN resulting in the altering of the initial construction schedules set for those DDGs.
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The 4th 052D DDG at Dalian (31st overall) has just been launched. Satellite photograph taken by Sentinel 2 today (28 January 2024).
Also the 1st DDG launch of 2024. Now just one 052D remaining in that drydock.
Also the 1st DDG launch of 2024. Now just one 052D remaining in that drydock.
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Is there any upgrades or differences in this particular batch?
Differences between current batch of production compared to the previous one, which we've been able to visually confirm, is the mast mounted surface search radar (type 364) is now a flat faced rotating radar, likely an AESA.
There are no other major external differences that have been observable yet, and as for internal differences, who knows.
To add to that, the older Type 364 radar is only a 2D radar with a mechanical parabolic antenna, probably using height multipathing to determine elevation. The newer one, possibly Type 368 designation is a 3D phase array AESA. So there's electronic scanning speeds and 3D to it, which are an enormous jump in capability compared to the previous. The units are dedicated for detecting and targeting antiship missiles flying low in the water so that's a significant improvement in the ship's defensive capability.