Modernisation of Three Old DDG Classes: 956, 051B, 052B

[Shotgunner51]

956-class DDG modernisation

 

[Shotgunner51]

051B-class DDG modernisation

 

[+4vsgorillas-Apebane]

Im so old I remember when the Sovernmy ships were new.

 

[Shotgunner51]

052B-class DDG modernisation

Im so old I remember when the Sovernmy ships were new.

LOL not just the Sovremenny 956-class are undergoing modernization, so is the 051B and even 052B!

I was a handsome young man back then, now just another dirty old man ....

 

[Ankit Kumar 001]

All 7 of them?

 

[english_man]

I think the Chinese Navy have got it right.............some people said the Navy should not update their older Destroyers, and particularly the 'Sovs', but some of these vessels such as the last 2 'Sovs' only joined the fleet some 10 years ago, so have plenty of life left in them.
If these vessels were not updated, it would leave the Navy only having really 8 modern Destroyers (6-052C's and 2-052D's), and though quite a few 052D's are under construction, it will be a little while before they join the fleet, perhaps 2 per year.
If the CGI shown turn out to be accurate, and the ships have the box containers for anti-ship missiles, then it suggests that they would not have the very latest multi-missile VLS as per the 052D's, but something more likely similar to the VLS on the 054A Frigates, which carry HQ-16 missiles...........or if not what do members here think the VLS will carry?
Anyway, with a newer VLS, guns, radar, and electronics, these will give the Destroyer fleet a much improved usefulness!

 

[Shotgunner51]

Well said bro, these classes aren't exactly "old" just that PLAN has been building new classes in very short time intervals. As a quick review, PLAN has been testing various DDG platforms, and systems, for quite some time, so after 051-class (to be retired completely), only few ships are procured for each of these six classes:

• 956/956EM (4 in this class, now refitting)
  
• 051B (1 only, pennant #167, now refitting)
  
• 051C (2 in this class, pennant #115, #116, to be refitted)
  
• 052 (2 in this class, pennant #112, #113, to be refitted)
  
• 052B (2 in this class, pennant #168, #169, now refitting)
  
• 052C (6 in this class, apparently PLAN has accepted a fair quantity of this class, though yet to be refitted)
  

Before induction of next generation 055-class, PLAN finally has accepted 052D as primary class of DDG and procure in reasonable quantity (my estimate is 16~20 in total). While much of the spotlights are shed on the new classes, before 052D reaches a critical mass in year 2018~2020, refitting these 17 ships of these 6 old classes to the benchmark standard of 052D-class (e.g. joint service data link, radar/electronics, weaponry) would be an important stop gap program, so that they can be useful platforms in a net-centric navy.

 

[cirr]

China to build 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship: Kanwa

• Staff Reporter
  
• 2015-07-30
  
• 10:24 (GMT+8)

The Izumo, Japan's newly commissioned helicopter destroyer. (Internet photo)

To compete against the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, China is planning to build a new class of amphibious assault ship with a displacement of 40,000 tons, according to Kanwa Defense Review, a Canada-based Chinese-language military magazine.

China displayed the model of its 40,000-ton super large amphibious assault ship, known as M1, during the Sixth International Offshore Engineering Technology & Equipment Exhibition held in Beijing in April. Unlike the 28,000-ton Izumo-class, designed with five helicopter landing spots on its flight deck, the M1 has six. While the Izumo can carry a total number of 14 aircraft, how many the M1 can carry remains a mystery.

After displaying the model of 20,000-ton M2 amphibious assault ship at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition as well as the Latin America Aero and Defense Defence and Security Exhibition, this is the first time for China to reveal the M1 amphibious assault ship to the public. China is very likely to deploy Russian-built Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters and Ka-27 rescue helicopter aboard the M1 in the future.

Models of the Ka-29 assault transports were seen aboard the model of the M1 as well though China has not acquired Ka-29s from Russia yet. The model indicated that the M1 will not serve the People's Liberation Army Navy as an ordinary amphibious assault ship but instead serve as a helicopter destroyer like the Izumo-class. In the future, the PLA Navy may even consider deploying attack helicopters such as the Z-8 or Z-10 aboard the vessel.

China to build 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship: Kanwa｜WCT

 

[Jlaw]

Im so old I remember when the Sovernmy ships were new.

how old r u bro?

 

[Shotgunner51]

Refitting of pennant #167 (051C-class), progress as of 5th October 2015.

 

[Shotgunner51]

All 7 of them?

Yes, all 7 ships in these three classes:

• 956/956EM (4 in this class)
• 051B (1 only, pennant #167)
• 052B (2 in this class, pennant #168, #169)

I suppose the next 10 ships to be refitted/modernized would be:

• 052 (2 in this class, pennant #112, #113)
• 051C (2 in this class, pennant #115, #116)
• 052C (6 in this class)

The 052D-class is accepted, mass production will carry on until next gen DDG (e.g. 055-class, yet to be confirmed) comes in light.

 

[BoQ77]

I suppose the next 10 ships to be refitted/modernized would be:

• 052 (2 in this class, pennant #112, #113)
• 051C (2 in this class, pennant #115, #116)
• 052C (6 in this class)

The 052D-class is accepted, mass production will carry on until next gen DDG (e.g. 055-class, yet to be confirmed) comes in light.

You are telling us that 052C ( two last just commissioned in Dec 2014 / Feb 2015, pennant no. 152, 153 ) need immediately modernized?
So next few years, 052D would need to modernize too ?

 

[black-hawk_101]

I wish PN will gain chance to buy at least 4-6 of these DDGs as we need bigger ships and not F-22Ps.

 

[Shotgunner51]

You are telling us that 052C ( two last just commissioned in Dec 2014 / Feb 2015, pennant no. 152, 153 ) need immediately modernized?
So next few years, 052D would need to modernize too ?

Yes, though not as urgent as the older classes, check spec difference between 052C and 052D.

I wish PN will gain chance to buy at least 4-6 of these DDGs as we need bigger ships and not F-22Ps.

That could be practical and beneficial for both navies, since PLAN could also simplify maintenance and logistics for fewer classes of ships.

 

[english_man]

I think it will be quite a long time before the 052C's get updated..............i mean the last 4 have only just joined the fleet in the last 2 years.
I can imagine the original 2 '170' & '171' getting a mid life upgrade with the same newer engines as per fitted to the last 4 of the class. Not sure about the weapons though. I think the main gun would be replaced as it is apparently not as good as the current gun as fitted to the 052D's................but i imagine to change the VLS and AEGIS system would be quite a major job, and obviously the current systems are more than capable for quite a few years yet!