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 Varyag 83 
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The debate of building aircraft carriers (CV) vs. building SSNs within PLAN lasted for more than a
decade in 80s and 90s. The acquisition of the Varyag (65,000t full load) under the
disguise of a "floating casino" in early 2002 did give Chinese engineers valuable first-hand know-how of designing and
constructing an aircraft carrier. It was speculated that Varyag will be converted into a training ship (Project
02/#83?) rather than a fully functional aircraft carrier. The initial preparation (e.g. painting) at the Dalian Shipyard
started in summer 2005. By August 2011 the carrier (named Tianjin?) has been fitted with the propulsion system
(steam turbines/boilers), radar, SATCOM, datalink, EW systems, C4I center, aircraft optical
landing system (OLS) etc. The shipborne radars include four fixed AESA antennas surrounding the island (similar to the
Type 348 onboard Luyang II DDG) and a Type SR64 surface/air search radar (based on Russian Top Plate) on top
of the mast. The air defense weapon systems include 4 HHQ-10/FL-3000N SAMs (similar to
American RIM-116 SeaRAM) as well as 3 Type 1130 CIWS below the flight deck (2 on the port
side and 1 on the starboard side). Its ASW defense is provided by 12 barrel ASW rocket launchers similar to Russian RBU-6000.
The shipborne aircraft include J-15 multi-role fighter, Ka-28 ASW, Z-8JH SAR, Ka-31 or Z-8 AEW helicopters as well Y-7 AWACS where J-15 is thought to be based on J-11B/Su-33.
The pilots are expected to be trained first using the land-based JL-9G trainer.
Three aircraft launch zones have been identified on
the flight deck. Two close to the ski ramp are for the lighter and smaller J-15 fighters. One further away on the rear flight
deck is for the heavier and bigger Y-7 AWACS. Compared to the original Russian design, the large SS-N-19 missile compartment
underneath the forward flight deck has been converted into the command & control center, resulting in a bigger space for the
aircraft hangar. As the result the number of the aircraft it can carry is expected to increase (up to 22 J-15?). Varyag started the first sea trail on August 10, 2011, in order to test mainly its
propulsion system. Its 2nd sea trial started on November 29, 2011 after two months of repair and adjustment inside the dry dock.
Currently the deck crews have started the training onboard wearing color-coded vests and helmets based on their functions.
The development of an indigenous design (50,000t class?) with a conventional power plant and steam catapults (?) has been
undergoing since 2004 (Project 048) and the construction of the first of two carriers at Jiangnan Shipyard near Shanghai was rumored to have started in 2008. Both were expected
to be launched in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
- Last Updated 1/12/12 |
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Luyang 168 Guangzhou
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Since the single 051B Luhai class DDG armed only with short-range HHQ-7 SAMs
was launched in 1997, it has been speculated that Chinese were working on their next generation DDG (Type
052B, 5,850t full) which would possess a true fleet air-defense capability. This capability would be
established around the new HHQ-9 long-range SAMs (similar to Russian SA-N-6), possibly vertically launched,
and a new 3D multirole phased array radar combining electronic and mechanical scans like French ARABEL. However
it now appears that 052B is fitted with SA-N-12 (9M317) medium-range SAMs and
Front Dome guidance radars acquired from Russia. Two radars were seen located on top of the bridge
(for the SAM launcher in front of the bridge) and the other two behind the rear mast (for the SAM launcher
next to the helicopter hangar), providing multiple fire channels (8 for SA-N-12). The SAM can also be
controlled by two optical directors installed ahead of the forward Front Dome guidance radars. A
Top Plate 3D air-search radar is installed on top of the foremast. A Type SR64 surface/air search radar
is installed on top of the aft mast. As the result, similar to Sovremenny DDG, the ship could be
designed to provide a limited fleet air-defense capability without the sophisticated Aegis type system and
VLS, thus carry a cheaper price tag and can be built in a relatively short period of time. Compared to 051B,
052B has more advanced stealth designs with large smooth and angled surfaces, a common feature among the new
generation of European FFGs such as French La Fayette class. In addition, a new 100mm main gun similar to French
Creusot-Loire 100mm (Type 210) but with a stealth turret is installed at the B position. Other features include
SATCOM antennas, a single helicopter hangar (housing a Ka-28 or Z-9C ASW helicopter) relocated on the port side
(the starboard side reserved for the rear SA-N-12 launcher), two Type 730 (H/PJ12X)
CIWS similar to Dutch Goalkeeper located on both sides behind the bridge, 4 Type 726-4 decoy launchers installed
on the platform in front of the bridge, 4 quadruple YJ-83 SSM (range >150km,
supersonic at terminal stage) launchers at midship behind the funnel, and a CODOG propulsion system including
two DA80/DN80 gas turbines from Ukraine. For over-the-horizon attack, the mid-course correction of the YJ-83 SSM
is provided by Band Stand radar on top of the bridge or via Ka-28. Since 2000, two hulls have been built
at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, with the first ship (168) launched on May 25, 2002.
The second ship (169 Wuhan) was launched in October 2002. Both ships were
commissioned in mid-July 2004 and have been deployed in the South Sea Fleet. The latest news suggested
that 169 has been installed with an indigenous GT25000 replacing one of the DA80 gas turbines.
- Last Updated 8/27/10 |
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Luyang II 170 Lanzhou
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Like 052B, this new type of DDG (Type 052C, 6,100t full) was also constructed at
Jiangnan Shipyard. This indicates that 052 series have adopted a modular design so that different
variants with different primary missions can be built quickly with standardized modules. Even though 052C appears generally similar to 052B, the biggest difference lies with the 4 fixed
AESA antennas (Type 348) embedded in the walls of the forward
superstructure on 4 sides. Among them, two antennas are covering the forward hemisphere while the other two
are covering the rear hemisphere. The same arrangement can be found onboard the US Arleigh Burke class DDG
and Japanese Kongo class DDG. As the result, unlike 052B, two Type 730 CIWS are relocated to the raised
platform in front of bridge and on top of the rear helicopter hangar. The Top Plate S/C air search
radar has been replaced by Type 364 surface/air search radar on top of the foremast. The installation of 4
phased array antennas indicates that 052C will certainly be the first Chinese DDG equipped with the new
vertically launched HHQ-9 long-range SAM system, instead of the Russian
RIF-M/S-300F system, which utilizes a single Tombstone phased array radar. The forward VLS station (6 fixed revolver launchers 6x6) is located between the CIWS
platform and the main gun, while the rear VLS station (2 fixed revolver launchers 2x6) is located forward
of the helicopter hangar. 4 Type 726-4 decoy launchers are also installed
forward of the helicopter hangar for ASW and ECM purposes. Two quadruple cylindrical canisters are installed
between the rear mast and the helicopter hangar housing 8 new YJ-62 long-range
SSMs (range 280km, INS+GPS midcourse, terminal active radar homing, warhead 300kg). The missiles are guided
by the Band Stand radar installed on top of the bridge and a Light Bulb datalink forward of the
hangar. The same guidance package was also found onboard 052B. An "old-fashioned" metric-wave radar with Yagi
antenna (Type 517M?) has been found at midship, probably for detection of stealth targets. A new ESM/ECM suite
featuring lens-fed multibeam arrays similar to AN/SLQ-32(V)3 EW system is installed on the side of the forward
mast. The ship is also expected to have the new generation of Aegis-like C3I system. Its CODOG
propulsion system includes two indigenous gas turbines which are copies of the Ukrainian DA80. Currently two
052Cs have been constructed (170 & 171 Haikou) with the first ship launched
on April 29, 2003 and the second on October 30, 2003. 171 is currently in service with the PLAN South Sea Fleet.
The building of two 052Bs and two 052Cs in such a short time frame reflects PLAN's urgent need to upgrade
its obsolete air-defense systems of its surface combat ships. Between 2009-2010 the construction restarted on
a slightly improved design (Type 052C+?) which has finally been put into mass
production. The second batch of 8 ships are in various stages of construction. The first ship (150?) was launched on November 28, 2010 at the Hudong Shipyard. Its sea trial
started on October 16, 2011. The 2nd through 5th ships are currently being fitted with weapon and radar systems.
- Last Updated 1/17/11 |
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Luzhou 115 Shenyang
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The first ship of Type 051C air-defense DDG was undergoing sea trial in 2007. Its overall
design looks like an enlarged Type 051B/Luhai DDG, which appears more conventional and less stealthy as
Type 052B/C DDG. The ship is belived to be powered by boilers and has a full displacement around 7,000t. This
might indicate the technological and budgetary constraints of Dalian Shipyard. Type 051C
features the RIF-M/S-300FM/SA-N-20 vertically launched SAM system ordered from
Russia in 2002. The missile has a range of 120km. Its fire control radar could be 30N6E
Tomb Stone phased array radar which can direct 12 48N6E missiles to engage 6 targets simultaneously. The
radar is installed on top of the structure behind the aft mast, and the antenna can be folded when not in use.
A total of 48 missiles are housed in 6 revolver launchers (6x8). 2 VLS launchers
(arranged in tandem) are installed in the platform in front of the bridge and 4 launchers in the structure ahead
of the helicopter landing platform. In addition to the RIF-M SAM system, two Type 730 CIWS are installed at midship.
A total of 8 YJ-83 SSM launchers are installed between the forward funnel and the aft mast. The main gun is thought
to be a single 100mm rapid-fire gun with a stealthy turret. The fire control radars could be Band Stand and
Type 344 on top of the bridge, the 3D air search radar is a Top Plate/Sea Eagle S/C on top of the aft mast
and the surface/air search radar could be a Type SR64 on top of the foremast. The first ship (115 Shenyang)
was launched on December 28, 2004 at Dalian Shipyard. The second ship (116
Shijiazhuang) was also launched in 2005. Both will boost the air-defense capability of PLAN North Sea
Fleet. 115 was commissioned in October 2006 and 116 in March 2007. Currently both ships are in service with the
North Sea Fleet.
- Last Updated 8/15/09 |
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Sovremenny 139
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In 1996 an $800m deal was reached to purchase
two Sovremenny class destroyers (Type 956E 7,940t full) from Russia which were initially
built for Soviet Navy. After prolonged negotiations and delays caused by financial problems of the
shipyard as well as disagreement over selection of the onboard weapon systems, the first ship (136 Hangzhou) was finally launched at the North Shipyard in St. Petersburg
on Feburary 15, and the second on April 16, 1999. The first ship sailed back to China in early January
2000 without any SS-N-22 missiles onboard. The first batch of the missiles (24?) was delivered in May
2000 and the first successful test fire of the missile occurred in November. The second ship (137 Fuzhou) sailed back to China in January 2001, carrying 8 Sunburn
missiles. Currently both ships are in service with the East Sea Fleet facing Japan and Taiwan. As the
largest and most powerful warship ever to enter PLAN service, its 8 SS-N-22
SSMs (3M80E/Sunburn, active/passive radar homing to 160km at Mach 2.5) are a direct response to
US CVBG's presence in the west Pacific, and its 44 SA-N-7 SAMs (9M38,
semi-active radar/IR homing to 25km at Mach 3, multiple fire channels) will provide PLAN for the first
time a true fleet air-defense capability. 4 Ka-28 ASW helicopters were ordered separately to be carried
by the two ships. There is little doubt that Sovremenny class DDG will enable PLAN to project its
power beyond China's traditional territory. In January 2002 China signed a $1 billion contract to acquire
two more ships (Type 956EM) upgraded with a new combat control system, 9M317 SAM (range 45km), 3M80MBE
SSMs (range 240km) and two Kashtan 30mm gatling gun/SA-N-11 missile CIWS replacing AK-630 and
the aft main guns removed. A second Band Stand radar was installed on top of the helicopter hangar
which might provide guidance for locally made YJ series SSMs (to be installed in the future?), or could be
an air-search radar for the Kashtan CIWS. The first ship (138 Taizhou)
was launched on April 27, 2004 at the North Shipyard in St. Petersburg and the 2nd ship (139) was launched
on July 23, 2004. The first ship was handed over to PLAN on December 28, 2005 and the 2nd on September 28,
2006. - Last Updated 8/27/10 |
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Luhai 167 Shenzhen
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Luhai 167 is the single largest indigenous warship in PLAN's inventory (Type
051B, 6,100t standard), until the new 052B/C DDG enters the service. Launched in October 1997 at
Dalian Shipyard and commissioned in late 1998, it is currently stationed in Zhan Jiang, Guangdong
Province, a major naval base of the South Sea Fleet. Compared with the previous Luhu
class, Luhai class has a stretched hull incorporated with certain
stealth features including a streamlined upper structure with inclined angle, two solid masts with fewer
protruding electronic sensor arrays. Main power plant are locally manufactured boilers (Type 453B?) which
give it a top speed of 31kt. New Rice Shield/Type 381C 3D air search radar, Type 360S air/surface
search radar and Type 344 fire-control radar (for 100mm main guns & SSMs) were also installed. Its weapon
systems are not much different from those onboard Luhu, including 16 YJ-83 SSMs, one twin 100mm main gun
(H/PJ-33A, 60rd/min) with a stealth turret, two triple 324mm torpedo launchers (Yu-7, range 10km @ 40kt) and 4
twin 37mm AA guns on top of a large helicopter hangar. The hangar currently accommodates two indigenous
Z-9Cs. The onboard ECM, electro-optical sensors and C3I systems appear to be generally similar
to those installed on Luhu. However an improved combat data system (H/ZKJ-4B?)
is believed to be installed. Surprisingly the ship is still protected only by HHQ-7 (H/AJK-02) short-range SAMs
in a single octuple launcher (6s/rd), an arrangement which appears ineffective against modern sea-skimming missiles
attacking from multiple directions. However the stepped structure in front of the bridge suggests the ship might have
been designed with VLS in mind. Only one Luhai was built before the project was terminated, indicating that
PLAN was not fully satisfied with the design. The latest image indicated that a new OFC-3 EO sensor has been
installed directly on top of the bridge.
- Last Updated 9/7/10 |
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Luhu 113 Qingdao
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Luhu 113 DDG after the latest system upgrade in mid-2011 is shown here.
Only 2 Luhu class DDGs (Type 052, 4,800t full load, speed 32kt) were built between 1988 and 1993, with the second
ship 113 Qingdao becoming operational in 1996, two years after the commission of 112 Harbin. However due to
the US embargo on further exports, 112 & 113 became the only PLAN warship powered by 2 GE LM-2500 gas turbines. This may
have contributed to the termination of further construction of this class. There was a rumor that LM-2500 was replaced by
Ukrainian GT25000 but it might turn out to be false.
There are some differences between 113 and 112, such as a redesigned funnel to reduce IR signature.
113 first went through weapon upgrades in 2002 which included new twin 100 main guns (H/PJ-33A) with a stealth turret
and 4 quadruple YJ-83 SSM launchers replacing YJ-8A. Her sister ship 112 also underwent similar weapon upgrades in 2004.
Compared to the old Luda class DDG, this class represents a significant step forward in terms of weapon and electronic
systems. Its air-defense systems included 32 Thomson-CSF Sea Crotale/HHQ-7 SAMs (IR/TV/radar
homing to 13km at Mach 2.4, 8 rounds ready to launch) and 4 twin 37mm Type 76A (H/PJ76A) automatic AA guns (760rd/min),
thus the ship lacked the fleet defense capability beyond the visual range. This shortcoming was addressed in the latest
upgrade with all four Type 76A guns replaced by two Type 730 CIWS on top of the helicopter
hangar. The Crotale/HHQ-7 short-range SAM may have been replaced by the newer model (FM-90?) which provides better
interception against sea-skimming AShMs. Also two Type 726-4 decoy launchers were installed on both sides of the forward
bridge for better self-protection. Various onboard systems were integrated together (to a certain degree) by a Thomson-CSF
TAVITAC combat data system which is thought to have been replaced by a new indigenous C3I system (ZJK-4B or a
newer model). The Thomson-CSF Sea Tiger air/surface search radar was first replaced by an indigenous Type 518 Hai
Ying radar, and now replaced by a Type 517M long-range air search radar. Also the Type 362 air/surface radar installed
on top of the aft mast has been replaced by a Type 364. A pair of SATCOM antennas have been installed on top of the
helicopter hangar as well. Currently 112 is still undergoing the similar upgrade. In general,
Luhu class represents PLAN's first attempt to build a true "blue water" navy with some success therefore it was
quickly superseded by the bigger and more advanced Luhai as well as Soveremenny class DDGs.
- Last Updated 12/19/11 |
