PLAN Type 051B/C Class Destroyers

FarkTypeSoldier said:

I reckon the upgraded no.167 is inclined to patrol and advance coastal defence mission

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I think the '167' is a vastly more capable ship, than just to be given coastal duties. I don't think the Chinese are spending a great deal of time and money on this Destroyer, just so it can do menial tasks. After the major updates, this will again be a major front line Destroyer, though not in the same class as the 052C/D vessels.
The Chinese Navy already has more than enough and capable ships to patrol and act as coastal defence.

Excellent

You never through away old things you overhaul and upgrade them and get them back into action and sometimes in times of need it's what will make the difference

All of the older DDG need this treatment

Frontline fleet is the Type 052C/D and Type 055 CG

Second line fleet is the rest

steve_rolfe said:

I think the '167' is a vastly more capable ship, than just to be given coastal duties. I don't think the Chinese are spending a great deal of time and money on this Destroyer, just so it can do menial tasks. After the major updates, this will again be a major front line Destroyer, though not in the same class as the 052C/D vessels.
The Chinese Navy already has more than enough and capable ships to patrol and act as coastal defence.

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The 051B was China Navy's PR ship in the 2000's, visiting some 14 different countries and territories plus anti-piracy mission to Somalia. It's definitely not a coastal patrol ship.

Well,with this conversion she will look more and more like her newer sister....but with full helo facilities, and less missiles.


The new, refit Type 051B



The Type 051C

Luhai's upgrade progress... It appears to be fitted mostly with systems found on 054A.

These upgrades should, at a minimum give 167 the same weapons options and firepower as an 054A, while those lovely big dual hangers will make it a good addition to many a task group, be it for ASW or anti-piracy duties.

Given the sheer number of ships launched and planned that uses the 054A VLS, I think there is a good chance that the PLAN will continue to develop and support that VLS for some time.

As such, I fully expect to see at a minimum a quad packed short-medium ranged missile option for that VLS to increase the flexibility and munitions load of the entire 054A fleet.

In that context, since they are fitting her with mostly 054A sensors, I would say there is fair to good chance 167 will also get 054A VLS as well as part of this refit.

Jeff Head said:

Well,with this conversion she will look more and more like her newer sister....but with full helo facilities, and less missiles.


The new, refit Type 051B

View attachment 23535

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Still Top Plate radar?

plawolf said:

These upgrades should, at a minimum give 167 the same weapons options and firepower as an 054A, while those lovely big dual hangers will make it a good addition to many a task group, be it for ASW or anti-piracy duties.

Given the sheer number of ships launched and planned that uses the 054A VLS, I think there is a good chance that the PLAN will continue to develop and support that VLS for some time.

As such, I fully expect to see at a minimum a quad packed short-medium ranged missile option for that VLS to increase the flexibility and munitions load of the entire 054A fleet.

In that context, since they are fitting her with mostly 054A sensors, I would say there is fair to good chance 167 will also get 054A VLS as well as part of this refit.

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If you look at the refit's latest progress, you should see that they've cut off pretty much the entire platform where the HQ-7 system and its reload magazine used to be, new bulkhead door(s) were installed, though my knowledge can't tell what that reddish bits where that platform used to be are for: could it be remaining old structures that'll be cleaned out in due course, or new structural parts that were in the process of lowering into the hold to be installed?

In any case, if they've remove the whole platform, that mean the DDG-167 ain't gonna keep the HHQ-7, and most likely to be fitted with new SAM system - at least to this point, it seems to be getting the 054A FFG weapon suite. As such, getting the HQ-16 is indeed the logical direction, giving it a qualitative leap in air defence capability, compare with the essentially point+self defence HQ-7.

Why is the refit based on the Type 054A sensors and systems ? Why not give this ship an AESA radar. I don't know if its possible to fit a VLS system on the Type 051B.

A while ago I observed that no vessel equipped with the HQ-7/7A had its AAW missile system upgraded to a more capable system.

I am very glad to note that my old statement is now wrong.

DD-167 formerly equipped with the HQ-7 is now being equipped with what appears to be the HQ-16.

As stated by others, we assume this to be the case due to the installation of the Top Plate and Front Dome radar systems, of the 054A frigates.

Which would make it logical for the same missile system to be installed on to the old girl.

I still feel however that this ship, along with the Sov's the 052's and 051C's should be grouped together in a single unit that contains all the PLAN's hybrid vessels.

That way their special logistical requirements can be attended to.