On some forums, some members say the 'Sovs' should be retired early................but that is silly. i mean the last 2 are barely a decade old, and they pack a massive armament.
It will be interesting to see how these turn out after their refits........obviously the electronics will be updated, and most likely their communication systems will as well, so they integrate into the fleet better with China's own newer warships!
First, all the system onboard Sov are ruskie, meaning datalink with the whole other fleet of PLAN will be minimal. Not to mention maintenance will be a nightmare. China needs to whole scratch build a maintenace based just to support this alien system. The Sov were bought out of desperation when Taiwan nearly declare independent during the 2000 period. As the PLAN technology were backward that time with no much option. Now with China technology advancing, these Sov are terrible.
I dare to say current Sov are even less capable than a 054A frigate besides the twin AK160 gun. The moskit are cumbersome and simply too big with huge infra signature and probably lack low level flying penetration compare to YJ-83 missiles. The AK630 or kashtan CWIS are so unimpressive that PLAN don't even bother to copy and plant it on their major warship. The whole Sov destroyer totally lack stealth and the propulsion system are outdated. Not to mention the sensor and radar.
If you keep track of PLAN news, it seems even the Kilo sub fleet lack activities and rarely on news or mission. I believe with more capable Yuan sub entering service. PLAN are slowly phasing out(mothball) these Kilo subs as they are maintenance nightmare for PLAN with all Ruskie system. Look at how problematic Indian sub fleet with their Kilo.
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