China commissions new Type 052D destroyer with upgraded radar and command systems.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy has formally commissioned Loudi, a Type 052D guided missile destroyer with hull number 176, according to a January 1 broadcast by China Central Television. The move underscores Beijing’s continued effort to expand fleet air defense and long range strike capacity as maritime competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific.

China has officially brought a new frontline destroyer into operational service, with state broadcaster China Central Television confirming the commissioning of the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Loudi on January 1. The announcement, aired on CCTV’s military channel and accompanied by footage of the ship entering active duty, highlights the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s steady pace of surface combatant induction as it seeks to reinforce air defense coverage and long-range firepower in increasingly contested waters.
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Displacing around 7,500 tons at full load, the Type 052D is designed for sustained blue water operations and high-speed maneuvering, with a propulsion system enabling speeds exceeding 30 knots. (Picture source: CCTV)

Loudi belongs to the Type 052D class, known within NATO as the Luyang III, which has become the backbone of the PLA Navy’s destroyer force. Since the first ship, Kunming, entered service in March 2014, the class has been produced in large numbers with continuous refinements rather than radical redesigns. This approach has allowed Chinese shipyards to maintain a high construction tempo while steadily incorporating improvements in sensors, weapons, and combat systems. Displacing approximately 7,500 tons at full load, the Type 052D is designed for sustained blue-water operations and high-speed maneuvering, with a propulsion system that enables speeds exceeding 30 knots.

At the core of the Type 052D’s combat power is its 64-cell universal vertical launch system, split between forward and aft sections of the hull. This launcher is assessed to support a wide range of munitions, including HHQ 9B long-range surface-to-air missiles for fleet area air defense, YJ 18 anti-ship cruise missiles for sea control, and CJ 10 land attack cruise missiles for precision strikes against shore targets. This flexible missile mix allows Loudi to conduct long-range offensive missions while simultaneously protecting high-value units such as aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.

CCTV footage of Loudi reveals a redesigned mast and radar suite that sets the latest ships apart from earlier Type 052D variants. Chinese military analyst Fu Qianshao stated in state-affiliated media that the new configuration is likely a dual face rotating active electronically scanned array radar, offering wider coverage, faster target tracking, and improved resistance to electronic countermeasures. These enhancements are particularly relevant for defending against saturation attacks involving aircraft and cruise missiles in complex electromagnetic environments.

The destroyer also integrates a new combat system architecture that improves sensor fusion and command efficiency. Zhang Shengwei, identified by CCTV as a crew member of Loudi, stated that the ship is optimized for air defense, sea attack, and task force command missions. In practical terms, this suggests the destroyer can act not only as a missile shooter but also as a command node within a networked naval formation, coordinating escorts, aircraft, and potentially unmanned systems during joint operations.

In addition to its missile armament, the Type 052D carries a 130 mm main gun suitable for surface engagements and shore bombardment, close-in weapon systems for last line missile defense, and aviation facilities for shipborne helicopters that extend its anti-submarine and surveillance reach. Combined with electronic warfare systems and sonar arrays, Loudi is configured as a true multi-mission platform capable of independent operations or integration into larger task groups.

Strategically, the commissioning of Loudi is significant not only for its individual capabilities but also for what it represents in terms of Chinese industrial capacity. Recent assessments indicate that more than 30 Type 052D destroyers have already been built or are in service, making it the largest production run of modern guided missile destroyers worldwide. Chinese shipyards are estimated to deliver roughly two to three major surface combatants of this class per year, a pace that surpasses comparable Western programs. This ability to combine advanced technology with sustained high-volume production is reshaping the regional naval balance, as newer ships like Loudi enter service with improved sensors and combat systems while arriving at a steady and predictable tempo. For regional navies and Western defense planners, the Type 052D program highlights how China is combining quality with quantity to build a fleet capable of sustained operations far beyond its near seas.