Type 051B destroyer
 DDG 167 Shenzhen in Apra Harbor, Guam | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators: |
 People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force |
| Preceded by: | Type 052 |
| Succeeded by: | Sovremennyy-class destroyer |
| Cost: | 2 billion renminbi yuan per ship by 1980s price |
| In service: | 1999 |
| Completed: | 1 |
| Active: | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 6,100 tons |
| Length: | 153 m |
| Beam: | 16.5 m |
| Draught: | 6 m |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph) |
| Range: | 14,000 miles |
| Complement: | 250 (40 officers) |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: | 2 helicopters: (Kamov Ka-28 or Harbin Z-9C) |
| Aviation facilities: |
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The Type 051B Luhai-class is a class of destroyer built by the People's Republic of China. It consists of only one ship, No.167 Shenzhen. When Shenzhen was commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force in 1998, it was then, the largest surface combatant that China had ever built. It resembles in many ways an enlarged version of the Luhu-class destroyer, and is one of the first PLAN ships with a slope-sided hull to reduce radar signature. The 051B was succeeded by the domestic Type 052B, discounting the 4 Soviet built Sovremennyy-class destroyer China purchased in the interim.
History
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Shenzhen was laid down by the Dalian Shipyard in May 1996. The Shenzhen was intended to be an experimental vessel with improvements over the Luhu-class' in terms of modular construction and stealth. The ship is powered by two indigenous steam turbine engines, due to Dalian Shipyard's experience in steam turbine construction and that Chinese domestic research and development on marine gas turbines had not yet matured. The displacement of the Luhai-class is 2,000 tons heavier than the Type 052 destroyer, Luhu-class. Shenzhen was launched in 1997, although official revelation of the ship's existence did not come until the year following its commissioning. The chief designer of this class is academic, Mr. Pan Jingfu (潘镜芙), who is also the designer of both the Type 051B's predecessor and successor.
The main purpose of the Type 051B was to gain experience in modern naval ship design and construction, and refining the knowledge and skills accumulated from the earlier Type 052, such as integrating many different foreign subsystems on the Type 052 more effectively. The ship is powered by steam turbines due to the 1989 western arms embargo and that domestic gas turbines were not ready in time. The Type 051B also employed stealth construction techniques which resulted in a smaller radar cross section in comparison to its predecessor. Analysts speculated that the ship would have been equipped with an VLS system in the forward section for air-defense SAMs. However, when the ship was finally revealed, it was still armed with the 8-cell HQ-7 SAM launcher. These SAMs lack effectiveness against sea skimming missiles with multiple approaching angles. The PLAN was unsatisfied with the design and no further ships of the class were built. At the time, area air defence for the fleet was the PLAN's priority which older systems couldn't sufficiently provide, and since the capability couldn't be served by the final vessel the gap remained open. As a result, the decision to import two pairs of Sovremennyy-class destroyer from Russia was determined to fulfil the role.
The sole Type 051B destroyer 167 Shenzhen participated in the PLA Navy’s first goodwill visit to Africa in 2000, the first visit to Europe in 2001 and the first visit to Japan in 2007. In 2004, the ship received its mid-life modernization refit, with its original 100mm main gun and the HQ-7 air defense missile system being replaced by improved models.
Type 051B destroyer 167 Shenzhen visited Kochi, India for four days in August 2009, after deployment in the Gulf of Aden on anti-piracy operations.
In the 1st quarter of 2015, the sole 051B destroyer was spotted at the Zhanjiang naval base,[1] with all armaments and sensors removed. Initially it was unclear whether this is due to a refit or decommissioning. Images leaked at the end of December 2015 clearly show the 051B is going through a major refit. The original Type-381 (Sea Eagle C) radar has been replaced with Type 382 Radar (Sea Eagle S/C).[2] Helo hangar has been modified to carry a single Ka-28 ASW helicopter instead of the original dual Z-9 hangar.[3] Two Type 1130 CIWS have been installed above the Helo hangar,[4] one covering each side, replacing the old Type 76A 37 mm guns.[5] Four Type 345 (MR-90 Front Dome) radars have been installed,[3] indicating the destroyer will likely be fitted with a number of vertical launch system cells for HQ-16 SAMs in place of the eight-unit HQ-7 SAM launcher. The main Type 79 twin 100 mm gun is also being replaced, either with a H/PJ-26 76 mm or H/PJ-38 130 mm gun. The upgrades give the Type 051B weapon and sensor capabilities similar to the Type 054A frigate.[5]
Ships of Class
| Number | Pennant Number | Name | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fleet | Status |
| 1 | 167 | 深圳 / Shenzhen | Dalian | October 1997 | February 1999 | South Sea Fleet | Undergoing Refit. |
References
- ↑ Chinese Type 051B destroyer up for refit, or retirement? - janes.com, 30 March 2015
- ↑ 051B Refit Image
- 1 2 051B Refit Images - sinodefenceforum.com
- ↑ 051B Refit Images - sinodefenceforum.com
External links
Media related to Shenzhen class destroyer at Wikimedia Commons