Type 052B destroyer

Type 052B Guangzhou-class destroyer in Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Class overview
Builders:	Jiangnan Shipyard
Operators:	People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force
Preceded by:	Sovremennyy-class destroyer
Succeeded by:	Type 051C Luzhou class
In service:	July 2004
Completed:	2
Active:	2
General characteristics
Displacement:	5,850 tons standard 6,500 tons full load
Length:	155 m
Beam:	17 m
Draught:	6 m
Propulsion:	Combined diesel or gas 57,000 shp
Speed:	30 knots
Complement:	280
Armament:	16 YJ-83 anti-ship missiles 48 SA-N-12 Grizzly surface-to-air missiles 1× Type 210 100 mm dual purpose gun 2 Type 730 CIWS 2 anti-submarine mortars 6 torpedo tubes
Aircraft carried:	1 helicopter: Kamov Ka-27
Aviation facilities:	Single helicopter hangar

The Type 052B or Guangzhou class destroyer (NATO reporting name: Luyang I class) is a class of multirole missile destroyers built by the People's Republic of China. Two ships have been built, with Guangzhou (168) and Wuhan (169) both being commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force in July 2004. This class features a stealthy hull and significantly improved air defence systems, an area that had been a major weakness on previous ships designed by China. These ships represent a major improvement over older generation vessels and reflects the PLAN's need for more modern destroyer designs.

The Type 052B (Guangzhou class) multirole missile destroyer was the first Chinese-built warship capable of area air defence. When domestic systems could not be ready in time for Type 051B destroyer, China was forced to purchase two pairs of Sovremennyy-class destroyer to fill the gap left behind in the fleet area air defense. By the time of Type 052B, China had already gained tremendous experience from Russian systems and Chinese domestic systems were also ready. As a result, Type 052B is built with considerable Russian technology including the Russian-made 9M38 Buk-M1-2 (NATO codename: SA-N-12 Grizzly) air defence missile system, an extremely effective air defence system with a range of 38 km. Most military analysts expect the Guangzhou class to be similar to the Russian Sovremenny class destroyer in terms of general performance.

The modern capabilities of this vessel demonstrate the Chinese desire to build up their blue-water navy and ability to project force into deeper waters. This shows a strong internationally-influencing naval force is being developed and will be a force to contend with in the future.

The displacement of the Type 052B is about 5850 tons standard and 6500 tons full load. The ship features a "low point" design and combines this with radar absorbing paint to reduce radar signature. The ship's funnel incorporates cooling devices to reduce infrared signatures. The stern flight deck can host a Kamov Ka-28 ASW helicopter. The chief designer of this class is the academician Mr. Pan Jingfu (潘镜芙), who is also the designer of the previous two classes.