PLAN Sovremenny DDG Refit/Modernization

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
PLAN Refit/Modernization of Sovremenny

The Chinese have lately been seen modernizing some of their early modern vessels.

This has included both Type 052 Luhu class vessels, 112 Harbin and 113 Qingdao, and has also included the Type 051B, LUhai class, Shenzhen, 167.


Sovremenny, Hangzhou, 136, in Refit

Now we see one of the Sovremenny class destroyers in refit as well.

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The Chinese bought four of the powerful multi-role Sovremenny destroyers from the Rusians in the 1990s and early 2000s. These are large (9,000 ton dis[placement) destroyers with very strong Anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-air warfare capabilities. The anti=air is limited in the most modern since since the vessels rely on mechanical radar and two single arm launcher for their missiles.

136 Hangzhou Commissioned: Dec 1999
137 Fuzhou Commissioned: Nov 2000
138 Taizhou 956EM Commissioned: November 2005
139 Ningbo 956EM Commissioned: Dec 2006

sov-refit-02.jpg

One of the weaknesses of these vesels, as well as the two Type 052B destoyers the PLAN built to accompany them (these are the Type 052B which use a different hull but have the same principle sensor and weapons fit as the Sovremenny vessesls) is that the vessels use non-Chinese weapons and sensors and are difficult to integrate into the many new modrn Chinese vessels which now use their own modern sensors and weapons.

So, similar to the way that 112, 113, 1nd 167 have been modernied, it is now clear that the Chinese are refitting the Sovremenny class to bring their weapons and sensor fit into line with the modern Chinese wepaons and sensors similar to those on these other vessels, as well as the Type 054A frigtaes.

Adding VLS to replace the Single Arm Launchers

They are replacing the single arm launchers for the 48 SA-N-12 SAMs with VLS units (which look to each be 24 cell units), one forward behind the main gin, and the other aft, behind the helo hanger. These VLS will launch Chinese HHQ-16 SAMs and/or CY-5 missiles.

In addition, the eight Russian Moskit P-270 missiles have been removed and will likely be replaced with the YJ-62 or perhaps the YJ-18 antiship missiles, which have a high terminal speed (Mach 3) and greater range (400km vs. 250km).

sov-refit-03.jpg

Adding the new Chinese 130mm Gun

It looks like the Russian AK-130 dual barrel 130mm gun is going to be replaced by the new Chinese H/PJ-38 130mm gun turret used on the Type 052D destroyer. This gun has a longer range and is capable of firing precision guided munitions.

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Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Upgrading the CIWS to Type 1130 and FN-3000L

The Russian fit for the CIWS, either the AK-30 or Moskit CIWS for the 956EM are being removed. They are to be replaced by adding two Type 1130, 11 barrell 30mm gatlin guns and two FN-3000L 24 cell CIWS missile launchers to the vessels. This will be an extremely strong CIWS fit.

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In addition, the sensors are being upgraded as well as the decoy launchers and ASW rocket systems to be of Chinese manufacture.

sov-refit-07.jpg sov-refit-08.jpg

This refit will add many years to the life of these vessels and increase their relevance as they will be capable of being fully integrated into the more modern PLAN surface action groups or other task forces.

It seems likely that the PLAN will also upgrade the Type 052B vessels, which, as stated, are in essence the Sino-Sovremenny vessel. There are two of these.

sov-refit-09.jpg
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
The Chinese are making sure that all of their more modern vessels are brought up to a certain standard.

They are willing to spend the time and money to do so.

Pretty smart move on their part, and keeps all of those vessels relevant.

2 x Type 052
2 x Type 052B
1 x Type 051B
4 x Sovs

That's nine major combatants that will now be around longer, and remain relevant and capable of integrating with their more modern vessels for years to come.

If you add all current PLAN up right now (excluding the Type 056)

4 x Sov
1 xType 051B
2 x Type 051C
2 x Type 052
2 x Type 052B
6 x Type 052C
13 x Type 052D
2 x Type 054
24 x Type 054A/B

That's a total of 56 very capable major surface combatants right now.

But this will ultimately become:

4 x Sov
1 xType 051B
2 x Type 051C
2 x Type 052
2 x Type 052B
6 x Type 052C
18 x Type 052D
12 x Type 055
2 x Type 054
30 x Type 054A/B

That will be 79 Major surface combatants.

Right now the US Navy has:

12 FFGs (LCS)
65 DDGs (Burke)
22 CGs
03 ZUmwalts

...or 104 major surface combatants

This will ultimately turn into

40 FFGs (FF/LCS)
65 DDGs Flight II/IIA
24 Flight III
03 Zumwalts

Which will make 132 major surface combatants, but they have to be spread over all of the earth.
 

Iron Man

Major
Registered Member
I would be shocked if the Sovs got universal VLS. They would have absolutely no means to guide HHQ-9 missiles. They would also need the full-length universal VLS modules (9m) to launch CJ-10s, which span 4 decks, and based on blueprints the Sovs' current SAM system only spans 3 decks, meaning there would have to be major internal surgery for this to happen, and this may not be possible depending on what they would have to remove. IMO more likely is that the canted external launch canisters are repurposed to launch whatever ASCM the PLAN wants to replace the Sunburns with, be that YJ-12, YJ-83, YJ-62, YJ-18, etc. and the VLS will be loading HHQ-16s only, and maybe CY-5s as well.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
I would be shocked if the Sovs got universal VLS. They would have absolutely no means to guide HHQ-9 missiles. They would also need the full-length universal VLS modules (9m) to launch CJ-10s, which span 4 decks, and based on blueprints the Sovs' current SAM system only spans 3 decks, meaning there would have to be major internal surgery for this to happen, and this may not be possible depending on what they would have to remove. IMO more likely is that the canted external launch canisters are repurposed to launch whatever ASCM the PLAN wants to replace the Sunburns with, be that YJ-12, YJ-83, YJ-62, YJ-18, etc. and the VLS will be loading HHQ-16s only, and maybe CY-5s as well.
As far as the VLS cells go, you are probably right. HHQ-16s and perhaps CY-5s.

But having 48 of those available in VLS is still a significant step up over the two single arm launchers they now have.

I also expect that they will install eight HY-18 or CYJ-62 anti-shippink missiles to replace the Moskits perhaps.

We shall have to wait and see.

The point is, the PLAN is determined to raise all of these various classes of ships where they tested with and experimented with small numbers of ships, to a certain standard. And that is smart. Logistics, training, integration within the fleet...all of that will be good for the PLAN.
 

steve_rolfe

Junior Member
As the Chinese are updating their Destroyer fleet to incorporate the latest Chinese anti-air and anti-ship missiles. What happens to the large stockpile of Russian missiles such as the Sunburns, that China purchased from Russia. Despite test firings, i imagine there would still be quite a large inventory of these weapons, and they are still very useful?

1/ Do the Chinese send them back to Russia?

2/ Use them in air or land based systems, if possible, or available?

3/ Dismantle them?

etc
 
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Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Thee are other parties who might buy them.

They still have two Sovs who an use them until they are upgraded...so some live fire exercises may be in order.
 
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