Type 052B

Description: The Type 052B-class destroyers were designed to serve as multi-purpose ships with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Two ships were built by Jiangnan Shipyard in the early 2000s and both were commissioned in 2004. These ships feature enhanced air defense and anti-submarine capabilities. Overall, the Type 052B destroyer performance and capabilities are comparable to Russian destroyers of Project 956E. In fact, these ships feature extensively Russian-made weapons and sensors. The Type 052B ships provide PLAN with capabilities required by a blue water armada that operates far away from its homeports.

The air defense system of Type 052B destroyers builds around the Russian Yohz/Buk-M2, SA-N-12 NATO codename, missile system. Each destroyer has two missile ramps and 48 9M38 missiles. Chinese-made Type 730 guns provide close-in air defense. Four 4-cell (16 missiles) YJ-83/C-803 anti-ship missiles, torpedo tubes, anti-submarine rocket launchers and a single-barrel 100mm gun complete the weapon system. The ship's CODOG propulsion system is based on two Ukraine DA/DN80 gas turbine and two diesel engines. The Type 052B also incorporates stealthy design which translates into reduced radar cross section and infrared signatures. A flight deck and hangar at stern allow operation of a Ka-28 ASW helicopter.