I was thinking that as well...................the Chinese sure don't waste their assets do they?..........and it will be interesting to see the finished article, as to what weapons the vessels will be carrying. These modifications must be costing a great deal to implement!
I wonder if they will change the power plant as well while they are at it. Looks like they cut away enough of the superstructure already, that going down into the engine room won't take much more effort, or maybe that was the whole point of cutting so much of the superstructure away in the first place?
We know the PLAN were never that satisfied with the power plant of their Sovs, and that the ships rarely went out to sea because of it. I believe the Sovs are the only major PLAN ship class that have never been sent out on anti-piracy missions thus far, with engine concerns being the most likely explanation for their exclusion.
Either way, you are right, this overhaul kinda sets a new bar, and may well exceed that term even, and would no doubt cost a fair bit. Kinda makes me wonder why they are even bothering and don't just order more 052Ds instead.
Have we ever established whether the YJ12 supersonic could fit in the new universal VLS?
If they are too big, then it would make most sense if the Sovs' sunburns are replaced with YJ12s. That's the only thing I could think of that would justify the cost of the upgrade over buying additional new built 052Ds with that money instead.
