2022 Zhuhai Airshow Naval Systems

That export 052D is curious. (I am referring to the longer variant of the ship)
I find it quite strange that a different powerpack would be installed in it, compared to the PLAN variant.
At best, if there are any powerpack differences, those would make sense only if they'd be software limited. Soft of like how car engines are limited in power, so the more powerful variants can be sold at a higher price, not software-limited.

I keep reading in this forum that 052D should have 30 or 31 knot speed - but which sources have actually stated that?

Also, the displacement. Now, who knows if the promo is actually following the real definition of a "normal displacement". But if it is, it'd suggest the full displacement is under 7.5 tons. We had such a figure bandied about even for the non-elongated version. And here, since the length is clearly stated to be 159 m, this displacement is refering to the elongated version. And it's quite low.

Usual rumor was that the elongated version is 161 m long, so this shows that may have not been the case.

I must say I am confused by the depth and draught nomenclature. I guess draft is distance from waterline to lowest part of the ship. And depth is distance from top of the lowest part of the deck to the lowest part of the ship. I am not sure about the latter, but the former is a bit of small figure, compared to some other "similar" ships, so that may explain the fairly low displacement.

4000 nm at 16 knots is also quite low. Usually similar destroyers have such or similar range at 20 knots. Some have 6000 nm at 16/18 knots.

I agree that the provided information is confusing.
Usually measurements are Length, Beam and Draught (which sometimes gives separate figure in case of protruding sonar bulb). Beam is missing and Draught seams to be for the hull itself without sonar. Length seams to be a compromise between initial D and long D which makes some sense if the Z-20 is not included in the package.
Downrated powertrain most probably is to keep the cost down and the information in that section is too generic to make further analysis possible.
The range (if provided correctly) explains the rather light displacement.

Totoro said:

I keep reading in this forum that 052D should have 30 or 31 knot speed - but which sources have actually stated that?

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To keep up with carrier. Carrier usually sails at 30 plus knot when launching planes. To be in the battle group you have to be able to keep up with the carrier, albeit not being able to do that for prolonged period of time.

052D is among the most heavily armed and robustly equipped vessels in its general size class, with the closest international analogue probably being the Spanish F100/Alvaro De Bazan/Hobart-class design. That armament and equipment has to come with compromises elsewhere, and I would be entirely unsurprised to learn that range, endurance and habitability are among them.

(This is one of the reasons I have never got behind the "give 052E more VLS" school of thinking.)

P.S. 6800 metric tonnes (1000kg) equates to 7495 US "short" tons (907.2kg). A suggestive coincidence, yes?

Lethe said:

052D is among the most heavily armed and robustly equipped vessels in its size class, with the closest international analogue probably being the Spanish F100/Alvaro De Bazan/Hobart-class design. That armament and equipment has to come at a cost, and it would be no surprise to learn that range, endurance and habitability are amongst those compromises.

(This is one of the reasons I have never got behind the "give 052E more VLS" school of thinking.)

P.S. 6800 metric tonnes (1000kg) equates to 7495 US "short" tons.

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If 052Es are to be given more VLS when compared to 052D, their hull dimensions would have to be expanded.

For comparison,
052D: 155m length x 17m beam x ~6m draft (64 VLS)
052DL: 161m length x 17m beam x ~6m draft (64 VLS)
055: 180m length x 20m x ~6.6m draft (112 VLS)
Arleigh Burke: 155m length x 20m beam x 9.3m draft (96 VLS)
Sejong the Great: 166m length x 21.4m beam x 6.3m draft (80 VLS + 48 K-VLS)
Maya: 170m length x 22.2m beam x 13m draft x ~7m draft (96 VLS)

I am always an advocate for more VLS for the 052Ds, since they are designed and built with the major goal of facing off against the "Pacific Heavyweights", i.e. Arleigh Burkes, Mayas and Sejongs. China is practically on her own and surrounded by three powerful navies.

However, instead of pursuing the "fitting as many VLS into one big hull as possible", I suppose it would be better for China to increase her VLS cell count on 052E to just 80. Perhaps it would be much more important for China to be able to print out as many 052E hulls with better radar+sensor+fire control systems, flexibility and survivability as possible.

More automation on 052E should also be pursued (just take Mogami FFGs for reference), in order for available PLAN manpower to be spread across more ships + reducing potential manpower and firepower losses in case any warships got sunk during wartime.

Is this a optronics mast for submarines? Does anyone have more information?

ACuriousPLAFan said:

What are the specification and performance parameters of these containerized anti-ship missiles? If China could make these cheaply and in large quantities, it would be a truly amazing achievement, to say the least.

To utilize such concepts to its fullest, it would be a great idea for these missile containers camouflaged and/or covered with markings similar to that of civilian containers, then have them hidden inside warehouses, forrests and mountain ranges across southern and eastern China (of which there are plently of). In case war breaks out, these containerized anti-ship missiles can then be launched at a moment's notice - While requiring only minimal crew to operate, while enabling better operational and tactical surprises.

Deployment to Tibet and the Himalayas should be considered as well, but armed with land-attack instead of anti-ship missiles. The G219 national highway would be perfect for their deployment.

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That certainly a great tactic, another possibility is to ship these containers to your enemies doorstep and use them offensively. You might even want to preposition some of these long in advance.

by78 said:

The Whale Shark 2000 export destroyer.

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Great to see VLS in clusters of eight. I hope these ships also get wingmen, each capable of carrying 1 VLS-8.

They really should have called it White Shark.

ACuriousPLAFan said:

If 052Es are to be given more VLS when compared to 052D, their hull dimensions would have to be expanded.

For comparison,
052D: 155m length x 17m beam x ~6m draft (64 VLS)
052DL: 161m length x 17m beam x ~6m draft (64 VLS)
055: 180m length x 20m x ~6.6m draft (112 VLS)
Arleigh Burke: 155m length x 20m beam x 9.3m draft (96 VLS)
Sejong the Great: 166m length x 21.4m beam x 6.3m draft (80 VLS + 48 K-VLS)
Maya: 170m length x 22.2m beam x 13m draft x ~7m draft (96 VLS)

I am always an advocate for more VLS for the 052Ds, since they are designed and built with the major goal of facing off against the "Pacific Heavyweights", i.e. Arleigh Burkes, Mayas and Sejongs. China is practically on her own and surrounded by three powerful navies.

However, instead of pursuing the "fitting as many VLS into one big hull as possible", I suppose it would be better for China to increase her VLS cell count on 052E to just 80. Perhaps it would be much more important for China to be able to print out as many 052E hulls with better radar+sensor+fire control systems, flexibility and survivability as possible.

More automation on 052E should also be pursued (just take Mogami FFGs for reference), in order for available PLAN manpower to be spread across more ships + reducing potential manpower and firepower losses in case any warships got sunk during wartime.

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055s are Chinese Burke equivalents.

052D is more like Asahi or Akizuki class, but obviously scaled up and with better internals.

They can use the 055's data link to act as extra VLS, ASW protection and backup radar. Once a 052 is slaved to a 055, it is almost as capable as another 055, while costing much less.

by78 said:

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I am increasingly of the belief that the FM-3000N is in fact the 3-5 missile.