【Military Second Area】Author: Lele
2025 has already passed more than half, and the two major equipment expectations for the Chinese Navy - the commissioning of Fujian Ship and the sea trial of Sichuan Ship have not become a reality, which makes people feel that there are few achievements and the speed is slow. However, in fact, the Chinese Navy still firmly occupies the position of "the fastest development in the world", but the outside world has been attracted by the development of heavy equipment, and inadvertently ignored this point.
▲The Fujian Ship has been inactive for a long time, which has made people a bit anxious
Recently, on social media, there was news that the latest 052DM has completed its sea trials and will be commissioned (so far, the number change is considered the most authoritative sign of commissioning). After the commissioning of the destroyer with the hull number "127", said to be named "Zhumadian Ship", it means that the Chinese Navy's 052D reach 31 ships, making the "Henan Fleet" completely surpass the Dutch Navy. Before that, the total displacement of the "Henan Fleet" had already been leading, but only three destroyers (Zhengzhou Ship of 052C, Jiaozuo Ship/ Kaifeng Ship of 052DL), compared with the four "seven provinces" class large air defense frigates of the Dutch Navy, the number of main battle ships was slightly behind. Now with the more advanced Zhumadian Ship commissioned, the quality gap between both sides is completely opened, so there is no doubt about it.
▲Jiaozuo Ship really went to Europe, and even amazed the Russians
Additionally, the "Henan Fleet" also has the most advanced 054B first ship Luohe Ship, two 054A, and five 056A. Except for not having large warships (the original 053H3 type Luoyang Ship retired in January this year, and it is expected that its ship name will be used to name the 055), the overall strength is quite good. Compared with the Dutch Navy, after the gap in main battle ships is widened, the gap in ordinary frigates and large patrol ships is even greater. Therefore, it can be definitely said that the "Henan Fleet" has comprehensively surpassed the former global domination of the Dutch Navy. For the Chinese Navy, after the interruption of the construction of destroyers and frigates in 2020, the new shipbuilding boom has resumed, and it is now entering the stage of harvest.
▲Original Luoyang Ship has become history
In 2024, the number of 052D ships that have been commissioned has remained at 25 for several years, and it has seen an increase for the first time - the 26th, 27th, and 28th ships were commissioned, increasing the total number to 28. This summer hasn't even ended, and it has further increased to 31. In the second half of the year, there may be at most two more 052DM ships that can be commissioned (estimated from the sea trial cycle, the possibility is not very high, but it can be commissioned by next year at the latest). The number of additional 052DMs is not the previously predicted 10, and it is currently moving towards 20 (the 13th has already been seen). As the final work of the entire 052D series, the 052DM performance has reached the peak, especially the adjustments made for the deployment of the Zhi-20F on board, which is of great significance, and standing at the forefront is just a matter of time.
▲The value of the 052D series is still increasing
At the same time, with the fourth 075 being launched for one and a half years, and also recently changing numbers (said to be named Hubei Ship), the latest information shows that the fifth 075 has started to prepare for construction. This does not match the expectations that after the launching of Sichuan Ship, the construction of 075 would come to an end, and the 076-type drone carrier would become the mainstream. However, from a technical perspective, this is reasonable - initially, the country built three 075s at once because the previous amphibious warships were limited in performance and urgently needed large amphibious assault ships to fill the gap. Afterward, the construction of 075 slowed down because the demand was relieved, and controlling the speed helps maintain production capacity. Although the 076 has an advanced layout and a high upper limit, its cost is high, and the technology has not been tested. Continuing to build the 075 is a more practical approach.
▲075 was overshadowed by the DF-17 shortly after its debut, and now it is completely surpassed by the 076
We have mentioned before that the typical thinking of the domestic navy in developing equipment is "conservative route, technological radicalism". The current fast-paced updates of the 052DM and 075 belong to the former - under the situation where the real threat remains serious and the opponent's shipbuilding encounters difficulties, blindly pursuing new technologies carries risks that do not match the benefits, and building mature models is more valuable. However, when the conservative route provides enough development time for new equipment, it becomes the time for "technological radicalism". The potential of the 052D hull has been exhausted, and whether the successor model is a "younger version of 055" or an "enlarged version of 052D", it is impossible to delay any longer. Within at most three years, the Chinese Navy's next generation of backbone destroyers will certainly emerge.
▲It is not yet the peak of the navy's development
Compared with this, the situation of amphibious assault ships is even clearer - the first ship of the 076 has already been launched last year, and as long as the navy solves the problems encountered during the sea trials and verifies that the design concept and technical route are correct, continuing the construction is just a matter of time.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530580110357856802/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your attitude in the 【like/dislike】 button below.