The Type-052D destroyer Changsha (Photo : PLAN)
China has announced the 11th of 13 planned Type 052D Luyang III guided missile destroyers has joined the surface fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The "Chengdu" (pennant number 120) is currently fitting out at the Qingdao Naval Base, headquarters of the North Sea Fleet that defends Beijing. It's the second Type 052 to join the PLAN this year.
Another Type 052D destroyer with pennant number 156 but without a name joined the East Sea Fleet and is also fitting out. Of the 11 Type 052D destroyers launched since August 2012, four are in active service; one is on sea trials while the remaining six are fitting out with various fleets.
Out of these 11, four are with the South Sea Fleet that patrols the South China Sea; four with the North Sea Fleet that defends northeast China (including Beijing) and three with the East Sea Fleet whose role is to support the invasion of Taiwan.
The two remaining destroyers being built will go to the South Sea Fleet and the East Sea Fleet.
Russian media is heaping praise on the Type 052D as a "carrier killer" on account of its YJ-18 long-range, supersonic anti-ship missiles that works with the Type 346A radar system to give the destroyer the necessary intelligence gathering capabilities for conducting anti-access, area denial (A2/AD) operations.
The YJ-18 has a speed of 988 km/h in the first phase of its flight. It then accelerates to 3,700 km/h for the final 40 kilometers of its flight time. This massive acceleration makes it hard for U.S. defenses to shoot down this missile. The YJ-18 can carry its 300 kg warhead out to 540 km.
The missile is launched from vertical launching systems on the Type 052D and possibly from the SHANG II-class nuclear attack submarine. It has an inertial guidance system using China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. The YJ-18 will also equip the future Type 055 destroyer.
