Type 052D Destroyer

The Type 052D, otherwise known as the Luyang-III class, is a class of destroyers currently in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). All vessels of the class are constructed by Changxingdao-Jiangnan Shipyard and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company.

• Country: People's Republic of China

• Entered Service: 2014

• Helicopters: Z-20F Seahawk

• Armament: NA

• Propulsion: QC-280 Gas Turbines, MTU 20V 956TB92 Diesel Engines

• Max Speed: 30 Knots

• Length: 157 M

• Draft: 6 M

• Beam: 17 M

• Displacement (Full Load): 7,500 Tons

Armament

First launched in 2014, the Type 052D was a major boost to the PLAN’s surface fleet. A true multi-role warship, the Luyang class boasts several lethal weapons systems. Utilizing a vertical launch system (VLS), the ships capable of firing CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles, HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles (SAM), DK-10A SAMs, HQ-16 SAMs, YJ-18 anti-ship missiles (ASM), Y-83 ASMs, and CY-05 anti-submarine missiles. For close or non-advanced targets, the 052D is able to turn to its H/PJ-38 130MM deck gun. For torpedo deployment, the destroy uses two Type 7424B tubes. For defensive protection, the crew relies upon a H/PJ-12 30mm close-in weapon system (CIWS) and four 18 inch tube launchers for decoy rockets.

Radar & Sonar Systems

In order to effectively use these weapons, the 052D is equipped with Type 346A multifunction active phased array radar, Type 366 surface search and targeting radar, Type 754 helicopter control radar, Type 349A fire-control radar, and Type 760 navigation radar. For defeating threats in the ocean depths, the class carriers a MGK-335MS-E hull-mounted sonar, Type IR-17 optronic system, towed array sonar, and variable depth sonar.

Propulsion

The class has a top speed of 30 knots thanks to two QC-280 gas turbines and two MTU 20V 956TB92 diesel engines.