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The Chinese Navy (PLAN) commissioned its fifth Type 052C Destroyer (Luyang II class) Jinan (hull number 152) on December 22nd according to the Chinese military official daily publication PLA Daily. Jinan is the fifth of six Type 052C Destroyers ordered by the PLAN. Meanwhile, the Type 052D Destroyer (Luyang III class) programme continues.

It took the PLAN a while to commission Jinan: 1105 days as the vessel was launched on December 15 2011. For comparision, it took "only" 800 days to commission the first 3 Type 052D Lanzhou, Haikou and Changchun. The reason for the delay is not clear at this time.

According to the PLAN: "Type 052C vessels are new-generation guided missile destroyers independently researched, developed, designed and manufactured by China. With a maximum length of 155 meters, width of 17 meters, and a full load displacement of 6,000-plus tons, this new-type destroyer is equipped with multiple sets of new-type weapons and equipment independently researched and developed by China. With advanced performance and state-of-the-art equipment, it is able to attack surface ships and submarines either independently or in coordination with other naval forces, and has stronger combat capabilities of long-distance alerting and detection as well as area air-defense."

The commissioning ceremony took place at the PLAN East China Sea Fleet's port in Zhoushan.

Type 052D programme update
Meanwhile the second Type 052D Destroyer is in final system outfitting stage at the Changxing Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai and should start sea trials in 2015. Also at the Shanghai shipyard are the third and fifth hulls still under construction in the docks. According to the Chinese spotters who took the above pictures in Shanghai, the sixth hull should be launched in early 2015, blocks of the seventh hull are already in the construction block (laid down) and blocks of the eighth hull are already being produced.

Kunming (hull number 172), the first Type 052D destroyer (Luyang III class) was commissioned in March 2014. At least 12 vessel of this class are expected to be inducted in the PLAN.

The Type 052D "Kunming" class (Nato designation: Luyang III) is the latest generation of guided-missile destroyer (DDG) of the Chinese Navy. It is based on its predecessor, the Type 052C DDG and likely shares the same hull. However the Type 052D incorporates many improvements in terms of design as well as sensors and weapons fit. This new class of vessel is considered as the Chinese equivalent to the American AEGIS destroyers.

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A guided missile destroyer was delivered and commissioned to the People's Liberation Army Navy on Friday.

　　The warship "Kunming" with hull number 172, was officially handed over at a ceremony held at the port of Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) CO., Ltd in Shanghai.

　　The warship belongs to the new generation of China-made guided missile destroyers and has a strong capacity for regional air defense and naval warfare, navy sources said.

　　Navy commander Wu Shengli said at the ceremony that weaponry and equipment are vital to the building of a strong navy and the Kunming warship will greatly enhance the navy's fighting capacity.

Three Type 052D Luyang III guided missile destroyer (DDG), seen here in various stages of construction, are lined together at the Jiangnan Changxingdao Shipyard.  The first Type 052D DDG, the Kunming, has already entered into PLAN service in March 2014.  The second 052D, on the left, may enter service in the second half of 2014, while the two less completed destroyers to its right, will be commissioned in 2015.  In service, the 052D destroyers’ likely missions could range from anti-piracy patrols to aircraft carrier escort to air defense for Chinese civilian activities like oil drilling rigs.

In the past decade, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has built up a formidable area air defense capability, with an eye on deterring attack by enemy carrier groups and anti-ship missiles.  While the ship’s powerful Type 346A radars provides for an air defense role, the 052D's modular vertical launch systems also gives it powerful land attack and anti-submarine capabilities.   In addition, the Type 0346A radar and other sensors give the 052D vast intelligence gathering capabilities, which is vital for anti-access/area denial operations. 

It is expected that at least 12 052D destroyers will be built before production shifts to the projected Type 055D multi-role cruiser.  The rapid production of the 052D is indicative of China's commitment to building a modern “blue water” navy.  What is even more illustrative about China's determination is that the mass production of the 052D overlapped with the production run of the 6 less advanced 052C destroyers.  The fact that the PLAN has chosen to rapidly produce both the 052C and 052D DDGs instead of waiting and concentrating on only one class of advanced warships demonstrates Chinese confidence in both its warship technology and the urgency to quickly develop multirole surface warships in the context of an Asian arms race.