China's rapid development in recent years has significantly enhanced its surface fleet capabilities, especially with the commissioning of the 055 and 052D type missile destroyers, marking China's entry into the forefront of ship design and construction technology worldwide.
Russian military expert Roman Sko-Morokhov from "Military Review" called the 055-type destroyer "the most powerful destroyer in the world," and predicted that China would immediately start building a second batch of 8 ships, bringing the total to 16. However, the actual situation contradicts this: after completing the first batch of 8 055-type destroyers, China did not immediately launch the second batch but continued mass-producing the 052D-type destroyers.
This decision has sparked widespread discussion: why, after having a destroyer widely recognized as the strongest in the world, does China still choose to continue building relatively outdated 052D-type destroyers instead of accelerating the production of more advanced 055-type destroyers?
Technical Strength of the 055-Type Destroyer
The 055-type destroyer is China's fourth-generation missile destroyer in service, with a full load displacement exceeding 12,000 tons, making it the largest surface combat ship built in Asia since World War II. It is equipped with 112 universal vertical launch units (VLS), capable of launching various types of missiles such as air defense missiles, anti-ship missiles, and cruise missiles, offering extremely powerful firepower configuration.
The 055-type employs a dual-band radar system, including S-band and X-band active phased array radars, providing a wide detection range and strong anti-interference capability, suitable for executing regional air defense and command tasks for aircraft carrier groups. In addition, its full-fuel combined propulsion system and integrated radio frequency technology further enhance combat effectiveness.
Compared to the U.S. Navy's main warships, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the 055-type has an advantage in tonnage, firepower, and detection capabilities. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) noted in a 2020 report that the performance of the 055-type exceeds that of similar destroyers from the United States and Japan.
The U.S. Department of Defense directly classified it as a cruiser in its 2017 white paper, with the NATO designation "Renhai-class cruiser," reflecting its high recognition in the international military community. This classification is not only based on its 10,000-ton displacement but also because of its flagship-level long-range combat capabilities and modular upgrade potential, such as the possible future deployment of high-altitude missile defense systems or ultra-long-range radars.
Although the 055-type destroyer is technologically superior, some technical limitations were exposed during its initial construction. Due to the tight construction schedule, some subsystems did not reach their optimal state.
For example, its active phased array radar still uses the 346A model from the 052D type, although optimized, it still falls short of the next-generation radar. In the integrated radio frequency mast, the mixed use of new and old equipment caused compatibility issues, affecting the overall performance. To ensure the timely commissioning of the first 8 ships, the Chinese Navy made certain compromises in the design, lowering some performance indicators, which resulted in the actual combat capability of the 055-type not fully meeting the design expectations.
In addition, the high technological content of the 055-type brings higher maintenance requirements. The complex radar and propulsion systems require professional personnel and advanced facilities, posing a challenge to the naval logistics support system in the short term. In comparison, the more mature 052D-type destroyers are easier to maintain and operate, enabling them to quickly adapt to the operational needs of the existing fleet.
The construction cost of the 055-type destroyers is much higher than that of the 052D-type. According to estimates, the cost of one 055-type is approximately 6 to 7 billion yuan, while the cost of one 052D-type is about 3 billion yuan. Although the 055-type has far superior firepower and comprehensive combat capabilities compared to the 052D-type, the total cost of two 052D-types is still lower than that of one 055-type, and its comprehensive efficiency can approach that of the latter.
Under budget constraints, this cost difference becomes an important factor in naval decision-making. Rapidly expanding the fleet size to cope with current threats appears to be more strategically significant than concentrating resources to build a small number of high-end ships.
Practicality of the 052D-Type Destroyer
The 052D-type destroyer is the main warship of the Chinese Navy, with a full load displacement of about 7,500 tons, equipped with 64 VLS units, using a single-band 346A active phased array radar. Its design inherits the mature technology of the 052C type, possessing air defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and certain land attack capabilities, making it a multi-purpose combat ship.
The first ship, "Kunming," was commissioned in 2014, after which the 052D-type entered mass production. Currently, the number of commissioned ships has exceeded 25, making it the most numerous type of surface warship in the Chinese Navy.
Although the 052D-type lags behind the 055-type in firepower, tonnage, and detection capabilities, its performance is sufficient to handle most conventional missions, such as coastal patrols, escort duties, and regional air defense. Unlike the 055-type, which focuses on the flagship role in aircraft carrier groups, the flexibility of the 052D-type makes it more practical in diverse missions. Moreover, the latest batch of 052D-type destroyers have upgraded dual-axis rotating radars, significantly enhancing their search and tracking capabilities, indicating continuous improvements.
The cost of the 052D-type is only about half that of the 055-type, and the production cycle is shorter. Its modular design and mature production lines allow Jiangnan Shipyard and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry to efficiently construct it, significantly reducing unit costs and time costs. Since 2014, the Chinese Navy has received several 052D-type destroyers each year at a rate of several per year, a "rice dumpling" style production model that effectively enhances the fleet size. In contrast, the construction of the 055-type requires more resources and technical preparation, making it difficult to achieve the same speed of mass production.
From a strategic perspective, the cost-effectiveness of the 052D-type makes it an ideal choice for filling the gap in the fleet. In the current international environment, China needs to rapidly improve its maritime readiness, and the fast deployment capability of the 052D-type undoubtedly meets this need.
The 052D-type is based on the technical foundation of the 052C-type, and after years of improvement, its production processes and subsystems have become highly stable. The reliability of its radar, weapons, and propulsion systems has been verified through practical operations, with minimal technical risks. In contrast, the 055-type, as a completely new design, although with superior performance, still needs time to accumulate operational experience and resolve potential issues after its commissioning. This difference in technical maturity makes the 052D-type more suitable for large-scale deployment in the short term.
Strategic Considerations of the Chinese Navy
The Chinese Navy's shipbuilding strategy is not solely pursuing the best performance, but optimizing the fleet structure according to operational mission requirements. The 055-type destroyers are positioned as the core escorts of the aircraft carrier group, responsible for regional air defense and command coordination, suitable for long-range operations.
The 052D-type destroyers, on the other hand, are more suitable for performing coastal defense, anti-submarine escort, and regional control missions, complementing each other in functions. A balanced fleet requires high-end and mid-range ships to work together. Relying solely on the 055-type would lead to an unbalanced fleet structure, making it difficult to deal with various maritime threats.
In near-sea missions in the South China Sea or East China Sea, the combat capability of the 052D-type is sufficient to deal with most threats, while the super firepower and long-range performance of the 055-type seem excessive. By continuing to build the 052D-type, the Chinese Navy can maintain high-end combat power while quickly supplementing the number of mid-range ships, forming a clearly stratified combat system.
The current international situation poses multiple challenges to China's maritime security. The United States has strengthened military cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India through the "Indo-Pacific Strategy." The advancement of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and the AUKUS alliance has significantly enhanced the naval strength of regional adversaries.
Japan is upgrading its "Aegis" fleet and plans to build eight "Moyu" and "Asahi" class destroyers; India is advancing the Vishakapatnam-class destroyer project; and South Korea has the Sejong the Great-class destroyers equipped with "Aegis" systems. These countries' naval modernization plans indicate that maritime competition in the Asia-Pacific region is becoming increasingly intense.
In this context, the Chinese Navy needs to rapidly enhance the number and readiness of its vessels. The fast construction of the 052D-type can effectively fill the gap in the fleet, buying time for the optimization and subsequent production of the 055-type. At the same time, the commissioning and combat drills of the 055-type also demonstrate China's long-range naval capabilities to the outside world, gradually establishing its regional dominance.
The 055-type destroyer, as the most advanced type of the Chinese Navy, the commissioning of its first batch of 8 ships is not only an equipment update but also a large-scale verification of new technologies. The actual usage effects of radar, propulsion systems, and weapon platforms need to be evaluated through long-term deployment and exercises. This experience accumulation is crucial for improving the second batch of 055-type destroyers.
At the same time, the continuous production of the 052D-type provides the navy with a stable combat force, ensuring that the overall strength of the fleet does not suffer a gap during the period when the 055-type technology is being perfected.
Russian expert Roman Sko-Morokhov's view mainly considers its displacement, firepower, and technical level. He believes that the 112 VLS units and dual-band radar of the 055-type make it superior in firepower and detection capabilities compared to the U.S. Arleigh Burke-class and Japanese Atago-class destroyers. However, he may have underestimated the diversified needs of the Chinese Navy in fleet building, as well as the strategic value of the 052D-type in terms of quantity and cost.
The decision by the Chinese Navy to build both the 055-type and 052D-type destroyers reflects a comprehensive balance between performance, economy, and strategic needs. The 055-type destroyer, with its technological advantages, is hailed as the strongest in the world, but its high cost and technical maturity limits make it difficult to produce in large quantities immediately. The 052D-type, with its mature technology, low cost, and flexible combat capabilities, has become the pillar for rapidly expanding the fleet. The strategy of parallel construction of both types not only meets current readiness needs but also lays the foundation for future technological breakthroughs and the development of high-end warships.
As the second batch of 055-type destroyers is built and key technologies mature, the Chinese Navy will gradually shift from quantity expansion to quality improvement. The improved version of the 055-type is expected to become the core force of the fleet within the next 10 years, promoting China's rise as a global naval power. During this process, the 052D-type will still serve as a reliable "mainstay," playing an irreplaceable role in the fleet. This step-by-step approach is a demonstration of the wisdom behind the Chinese Navy's rise.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522717186043544098/
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