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Home»News»China Commissions a Type 055 DDG, a Type 075 LHD and a Type 094 SSBN in a Single Day

China Commissions a Type 055 DDG, a Type 075 LHD and a Type 094 SSBN in a Single Day
From left to right: A Jin-class SSBN, a Type 055 DDG and a Type 075 LHD joining the PLAN fleet on the same day.
China Commissions A Type 055 DDG, A Type 075 LHD And A Type 094 SSBN In A Single Day
In a what is likely a first ever, China yesterday commissioned three major vessels into the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) fleet: A Type 055 Destroyer (NATO designation: Renhai-class cruiser), a Type 075 LHD (NATO designation: Yushen-class) and a Type 094 SSBN (NATO Designation: Jin-class).
Xavier Vavasseur 24 Apr 2021

The ceremony took place on 23 April 2021 at the naval base in Sanya (Hainan island) in presence of Chinese president Xi Jinping:
China-Commissions-a-Type-055-DDG-a-Type-075-LHD-and-a-Type-094-SSBN-in-a-Single-Day-2.jpg


The historic (over 70,000 tons combined commissioned on a single day) event coincided with the 72th anniversary of the PLAN.

Type 055 Destroyer Dalian (105)
Type 055 Destroyer Dalian (105)
Type 055 Destroyer Dalian (105)

The Type 055 Destroyer commissioned yesterday is named Dalian (pennant number 105). It is the third ship of the class and the second one commissioned this year (The 2nd Type 055 joined the PLAN in March 2021).

The Type 055 destroyers are the largest surface combatant currently being built in the world with a length of 180 meters, a beam of 20 meters and a draft of 6.6 meters for a full load displacement of about 13,000t (compared to the US Navy’s Ticonderoga-class cruiser and the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer both at 9,800 tons or the Royal Navy Type 45 at about 8,500 tons). Their official PLAN designation is “10,000-ton class destroyer.” while the US Department of Defense have been calling them “cruisers” since 2017.

First ship of the class, ‘Nanchang’ was launched on June 28, 2017 at the Jiangnan Changxing Shipyard in Shanghai and the second one was launched in April 2018 at the same shipyard. Two more Type 055 were launched in 2018, two more in 2019 and and additional two in 2020 bringing the total of hulls currently in the water to eight. The first ship-in-class, Nanchang (101) was commissioned on 12 January 2020.

The current Type 055’s weapons fit includes:
  • A 130 mm H/PJ-38 main gun
  • 112 VLS silos
  • A H/PJ-11 CIWS with a fire rate of 10,000 rd/min
  • A HQ-10 short-range missiles
  • Decoy launchers
  • Torpedoes.

The silos are split in two areas: 64x cells forward and 48x cells aft, just in front of the ship’s double hangar. They are of the same model as those used on Type 052D, compatible with both hot and cold launch missiles thanks to the Concentric Canister Launcher (CCL) concept. The PLAN is set to fit its first few Type 055 with HQ-9B anti-aircraft missiles with a range of 200 km, YJ-18A anti-ship missiles, a new type of medium range anti-aircraft missile and land attack cruise missiles based on the YJ-18 family, ie, practically the same as those already found on Type 052D destroyers. It is also likely that the new anti-submarine missile Yu-8A is among the ship’s weapons fit.

Type 075 LHD Hainan (31)
Type 075 LHD Hainan (31)
Type 075 LHD Hainan (31). Note the many Changhe Z-18 helicopters on deck.

The Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) commissioned yesterday is named Hainan (pennant number 31). It is the lead ship of the class. The vessel was launched in September 2019 and started sea trials in August 2020 . The Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai already built two more vessels in the class. The second one was launched in April 2020 and started its sea trials in December 2020. The third one was launched in January this year. This represents an impressive rate of one LHD launched every 6 months.

The Chinese Navy officially started development work on the Type 075 in 2011. The project called for a helicopter carrier displacing more than 30,000 tonnes. Its aim is likely to increase the “vertical” amphibious assault capability with the very mountainous East Coast of Taiwan in mind.

As for its specifications, rumors speak of “36,000 tons of displacement”, “capacity of 28 helicopters”, “diesel engine with the 12,000 kW 16PC2-6B” and “four CIWS including two HQ-10 and two H/PJ-11”.

The first Type 075 was constructed in record time (this has become the norm nowadays, for Chinese shipbuilding: extremely fast construction pace that no one can match). A total of eight LHDs are said to be on order for the PLAN while a larger version is rumored to be planned (sometimes referred as Type 076).

Type 094 SSBN Long March 18
Type 094 SSBN Long March 18
Type 094 SSBN Long March 18

The third (and not the least important) vessel to be commissioned during the historic event was a Type 094 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). The Changzheng (Long March ) 18 is likely the 6th (or 7th?) Type 094 (also known as Type 09-IV) submarine of the class for the PLAN. It received pennant number 421. The lead boat of the class was commissioned in 2007.

The Type 094 is armed with 12 JL-2 SLBMs, each with an estimated range of 7,400 km (4,600 mi). Submarines of this class have a length of 135 meters.
TAGS China DDG LHD PLAN SSBN Type 055 Type 075 Type 094
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AUTHORS
ca03a706b1fce0d48368a913fcfdf183

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.
Naval News
SHIELD AFRICA 2021

Home»News»China Commissions a Type 055 DDG, a Type 075 LHD and a Type 094 SSBN in a Single Day

China Commissions a Type 055 DDG, a Type 075 LHD and a Type 094 SSBN in a Single Day
From left to right: A Jin-class SSBN, a Type 055 DDG and a Type 075 LHD joining the PLAN fleet on the same day.
China Commissions A Type 055 DDG, A Type 075 LHD And A Type 094 SSBN In A Single Day
In a what is likely a first ever, China yesterday commissioned three major vessels into the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) fleet: A Type 055 Destroyer (NATO designation: Renhai-class cruiser), a Type 075 LHD (NATO designation: Yushen-class) and a Type 094 SSBN (NATO Designation: Jin-class).
Xavier Vavasseur 24 Apr 2021

The ceremony took place on 23 April 2021 at the naval base in Sanya (Hainan island) in presence of Chinese president Xi Jinping:
China-Commissions-a-Type-055-DDG-a-Type-075-LHD-and-a-Type-094-SSBN-in-a-Single-Day-2.jpg


The historic (over 70,000 tons combined commissioned on a single day) event coincided with the 72th anniversary of the PLAN.

Type 055 Destroyer Dalian (105)
Type 055 Destroyer Dalian (105)
Type 055 Destroyer Dalian (105)

The Type 055 Destroyer commissioned yesterday is named Dalian (pennant number 105). It is the third ship of the class and the second one commissioned this year (The 2nd Type 055 joined the PLAN in March 2021).

The Type 055 destroyers are the largest surface combatant currently being built in the world with a length of 180 meters, a beam of 20 meters and a draft of 6.6 meters for a full load displacement of about 13,000t (compared to the US Navy’s Ticonderoga-class cruiser and the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer both at 9,800 tons or the Royal Navy Type 45 at about 8,500 tons). Their official PLAN designation is “10,000-ton class destroyer.” while the US Department of Defense have been calling them “cruisers” since 2017.

First ship of the class, ‘Nanchang’ was launched on June 28, 2017 at the Jiangnan Changxing Shipyard in Shanghai and the second one was launched in April 2018 at the same shipyard. Two more Type 055 were launched in 2018, two more in 2019 and and additional two in 2020 bringing the total of hulls currently in the water to eight. The first ship-in-class, Nanchang (101) was commissioned on 12 January 2020.

The current Type 055’s weapons fit includes:
  • A 130 mm H/PJ-38 main gun
  • 112 VLS silos
  • A H/PJ-11 CIWS with a fire rate of 10,000 rd/min
  • A HQ-10 short-range missiles
  • Decoy launchers
  • Torpedoes.

The silos are split in two areas: 64x cells forward and 48x cells aft, just in front of the ship’s double hangar. They are of the same model as those used on Type 052D, compatible with both hot and cold launch missiles thanks to the Concentric Canister Launcher (CCL) concept. The PLAN is set to fit its first few Type 055 with HQ-9B anti-aircraft missiles with a range of 200 km, YJ-18A anti-ship missiles, a new type of medium range anti-aircraft missile and land attack cruise missiles based on the YJ-18 family, ie, practically the same as those already found on Type 052D destroyers. It is also likely that the new anti-submarine missile Yu-8A is among the ship’s weapons fit.

Type 075 LHD Hainan (31)
Type 075 LHD Hainan (31)
Type 075 LHD Hainan (31). Note the many Changhe Z-18 helicopters on deck.

The Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) commissioned yesterday is named Hainan (pennant number 31). It is the lead ship of the class. The vessel was launched in September 2019 and started sea trials in August 2020 . The Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai already built two more vessels in the class. The second one was launched in April 2020 and started its sea trials in December 2020. The third one was launched in January this year. This represents an impressive rate of one LHD launched every 6 months.

The Chinese Navy officially started development work on the Type 075 in 2011. The project called for a helicopter carrier displacing more than 30,000 tonnes. Its aim is likely to increase the “vertical” amphibious assault capability with the very mountainous East Coast of Taiwan in mind.

As for its specifications, rumors speak of “36,000 tons of displacement”, “capacity of 28 helicopters”, “diesel engine with the 12,000 kW 16PC2-6B” and “four CIWS including two HQ-10 and two H/PJ-11”.

The first Type 075 was constructed in record time (this has become the norm nowadays, for Chinese shipbuilding: extremely fast construction pace that no one can match). A total of eight LHDs are said to be on order for the PLAN while a larger version is rumored to be planned (sometimes referred as Type 076).

Type 094 SSBN Long March 18
Type 094 SSBN Long March 18
Type 094 SSBN Long March 18

The third (and not the least important) vessel to be commissioned during the historic event was a Type 094 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). The Changzheng (Long March ) 18 is likely the 6th (or 7th?) Type 094 (also known as Type 09-IV) submarine of the class for the PLAN. It received pennant number 421. The lead boat of the class was commissioned in 2007.

The Type 094 is armed with 12 JL-2 SLBMs, each with an estimated range of 7,400 km (4,600 mi). Submarines of this class have a length of 135 meters.
TAGS China DDG LHD PLAN SSBN Type 055 Type 075 Type 094
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AUTHORS
ca03a706b1fce0d48368a913fcfdf183

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.
 
One other thing, also on the same day the 19th 052D Destroyer was commissioned elsewhere, the Kaifeng, ship no:- 124. Been a good month for the PLAN, considering another 052D was also commissioned on the 12th April.

Yes, really amazing indeed.

PLANS Kaifeng DDG-124 NSF (Northern Fleet)
51121003520_59d5f097fa_k.jpg
 
One other thing, also on the same day the 19th 052D Destroyer was commissioned elsewhere, the Kaifeng, ship no:- 124. Been a good month for the PLAN, considering another 052D was also commissioned on the 12th April.
PLANS 052DL Nanning DDG-162 SSF (South Sea Fleet) commissioned on 20210412 in Zhanjiang Naval Base

It's launched in February 2019, an extended and improved 052D destroyer (also known as 052DL). Compared with the standard 052D, the flight deck at the stern is lengthened and the anti-stealth millimeter-wave radar is installed to enhance the ship’s anti-submarine and anti-stealth capabilities. It's originally the 17th warship of 052D destroyer (according to the launching order).

With the recent official service of the 052D "Nanning" and the earlier coming into service of the 055 destroyer No.2 "Lhasa", the naval destroyers have been officially named in 27 provincial capitals out of 28 provinces and autonomous regions across China, except the one in the northern region. The remaining provincial capital is unlikely to get a destroyer name any time soon.

According to the "naming rules for Chinese naval vessels", naval destroyers should be named after "big and medium cities". In the past few decades, the number of destroyers owned by Chinese Navy has been less than 30, so the former destroyers were generally named after the more developed provincial capital cities and cities of great historical significances. However, with the many launches of 052D and 055 heavy destroyers in recent years, the number of destroyers in China have increased, the cities of the past are not enough for naming all of them.

For instance, seven 052D destroyers and six 055 heavy destroyers have been launched after the 052DL "Nanning" has been put into service, but they have not yet been commissioned. Because these destroyers have no provincial capital cities to name, they will choose some second-tier cities or cities of great historical significance, such as 052D "Kaifeng", "Shaoxing", and "055" Yan'an", "Dalian".


PLANS 052D Nanning DDG-162 SSF (South Sea Fleet) commissioned on 20210412 in Zhanjiang Naval B...jpg

Type should be 052DL instead of 052D
 
A great comparison made by @AkelaFreedom and posted at the SDF:

"For comparison, satellite imagery - Type 075 LHD, Shandong and Liaoning. The same pier and height."

But at least for the Liaoning, it seems to be not "the same pier"! Or am I wrong? 🤔

Anyway a great comparison.

1619422032034.png
 
A great comparison made by @AkelaFreedom and posted at the SDF:

"For comparison, satellite imagery - Type 075 LHD, Shandong and Liaoning. The same pier and height."

But at least for the Liaoning, it seems to be not "the same pier"! Or am I wrong? 🤔

Anyway a great comparison.

View attachment 737548

It could be a different pier, but the size of the building and the layout of the docks at Qingdao and Sanya are exactly the same. So it's hard to tell from only part of the satellite images, but it won't hurt for comparison.
 
A great comparison made by @AkelaFreedom and posted at the SDF:

"For comparison, satellite imagery - Type 075 LHD, Shandong and Liaoning. The same pier and height."

But at least for the Liaoning, it seems to be not "the same pier"! Or am I wrong? 🤔

Anyway a great comparison.

View attachment 737548

According to these images, the length of Type 075 is about 232m, using Liaoning's length as reference.
 
Very informative video about the commissioning of 3 major ships on PLAN Naval Day and some interesting future development of China naval weapon.


Confirmation of naval laser weapon testing on PLAN ship Bishen (weapons testing vessel) at the 6:42 mark.

EKqO7T8.png


The drone targeted appears to be a S-200 target drone, which is capable of speeds up to 700KM/h and is used by PLAN and PLAGF to simulate cruise missiles or low flying fighters. Based on my analysis, they plan on replacing or supplementing projectile based CIWS on future carriers or successors to the Type-055 destroyer.
 
PLA Navy Newly Released Promotional Video 20210419

A great brief summary video released in conjunction with the centenary anniversary of the founding of Communist Party of China (CPC), over 320-second long with full English subtitles. An extremely successful party -- with no precedence in the mankind civilization throughout the human history -- that brings prosperity, advancement and robustness to the modern China, pulling the entire nation of over a billion of people from the bottom of the civilization to the top nowadays!!! 👏👏👏 💪💪💪

 
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