052C/052D Class Destroyers
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
At least they got most of the visual details right.
I reckon each yard should be able to produce 2 destroyers per year (Type-52 or 55) once they get up to speed.
So 3 yards means 6 destroyers every year, which feels too high to me.
It is possible to run at this level for a while as China's DDG force is undersized (for historical reasons), but I would expect production to drop to more sustainable level after some years.
Otherwise China would end up with a steady state fleet size of 180+ Aegis destroyers.
So 3 yards means 6 destroyers every year, which feels too high to me.
It is possible to run at this level for a while as China's DDG force is undersized (for historical reasons), but I would expect production to drop to more sustainable level after some years.
Otherwise China would end up with a steady state fleet size of 180+ Aegis destroyers.
Last edited:
Well, Jiangnan produced 2 x Type 052D per year on average, but they were using two separate halls to do so.
Dalian, where they are essentially using one place, is producing one per year.
Also, I do not believe they will produce the larger, more complicated Type 055 as fast as a Type 052D.
So to presume that any shipbuilder can produce either of these at 2 ships per is probably not an accurate forecast.
it depends on how much resource they dedicate to it. at each yard.
At Jiangnan where they are using two halls it is almost like they are using the resources of two yards.
Dalian has not demonstrated 2 per year to this date.
Right now we are seeing two yards (Jiangnan using two halls and Dalian) producing three Type 052Ds per year.
I expect wherever they start with the Type 055, that they will produce 1 vessel per year.
That ends up as four total DDGs per year for the three yards.
But time will tell.
Actually, all the recent 052Ds from JN since D2 have been built out of a single building hall.
The last time both building halls were in use for destroyer production was back when 052C C6 and 052D D1 were being assembled, I believe.
A single building hall or slipway should be able to launch 2 hulls per year.
We've seen that at various shipyards eg. Jiangnan with the Type-52, Ingalls with the Burkes etc
Plus there shouldn't be much difference between the Type-55 and Type-52 in terms of assembly time as it's roughly the same time for module assembly and outfitting for the other equipment. The increased number and size of modules doesn't affect the rate, as they are built beforehand in advance anyway.
We've seen that at various shipyards eg. Jiangnan with the Type-52, Ingalls with the Burkes etc
Plus there shouldn't be much difference between the Type-55 and Type-52 in terms of assembly time as it's roughly the same time for module assembly and outfitting for the other equipment. The increased number and size of modules doesn't affect the rate, as they are built beforehand in advance anyway.
Last edited:
hmm, 055 is going to be much larger, complex ship compared to 052D with a whole new propulsion system and hull. It will definitely take a lot longer to build and commission than 052D. Just look at 052D vs 054A. Completely different speed for launching + commissioning.
I don't see the Type-55 being that much different from the Type-52D.
It's a new propulsion arrangement, but it's still the same gas turbines driving the propellor shafts. And in terms of electronics and weapons, it looks pretty similar but just has more VLS and probably some other C&C stuff.
Overall build time for a Type-55 will be somewhat longer than for a Type-52D, but assembly time in the hall and outfitting time on the pierside will be around the same.
So we should still see 2 hulls being launched every year once they get up to speed.
It's a new propulsion arrangement, but it's still the same gas turbines driving the propellor shafts. And in terms of electronics and weapons, it looks pretty similar but just has more VLS and probably some other C&C stuff.
Overall build time for a Type-55 will be somewhat longer than for a Type-52D, but assembly time in the hall and outfitting time on the pierside will be around the same.
So we should still see 2 hulls being launched every year once they get up to speed.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
One is a CG the other DDG
It is a new hull form. It has a new propulsion system. They are designing into it the ability to expand into future technologies like a rail gun and lasers. I expect the radars and other sensors are going to be more powerful and either enw, or upgrades to existing equipment. There is just a lot about this ship that is going to be new and cutting edge for the PLAN...sort of like the ZUmwalts were for the US Navy.
Look at the current build time for the AEGIS Burke Flight IIA. Right now, and for the last several ships. From being laid down to launch has gone from 12 and 13 months down to 11 months. Then another 12-13 months to commission.
These are very sophisticated, large multi-role destroyers that displace 9,500 tons.
Then look at the Zumwalt and Michael Monsoor. The first two Zumwalt class DDGs. They took 28-36 months to launch and are going to take over two years to commission.
Much larger vessels, more sophisticated, new weapons, new sensors, and new propulsion.
I expect we are going to see something similar between the Type 052D and the Type 055 for the Chinese.