DDG-172 Kunming (In Service)
DDG-173 Changsha (Trials)
DDG-174 Guiyang (Outfitting)
DDG-175 Chengdu (Outfitting)
DDG-154 Hefei (Building)
DDG-155 Nanjing (Assembly)
DDG-117 Yinchuang (Planned)
DDG-118 Taiyuan (Planned)

Latest Update:
The first in class Type 052D, DDG-173, Kunming, was commissioned into the Chinese Navy (PLAN) on March 21, 2014. 2nd in class, DDG-173, Changsha, is currently undergoing sea trials, while the third and fourth in class are both outfitting. The 5th vessel is building and the modules for the 6th vessel are being assembled. Units seven and eight are planned and approved.

History:
The People's Republic of China has been embarked on a massive and rapid modernization program for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) for the last ten and more years.

In 2012, Shanghai-based Jiangnan Shipyard launched a new, improved version of the Type 052C, Lanzhou, DDG. This class has been designated as the Type 052D DDG.

The first-of-class was launched in August 2012 and, as stated, commissioned in March 2014. The second ship was launched in early 2013, the third vessel was launched in June 2013. The 4th vessel was launched March 29, 2014. The 5th vessel is under construction in one of the hallways at Jiangwan Shipyards and a sixth has its modeules prepared for assembly. Currently four are launched, a fifth is building, a sicth is assembling, and two more are ordered for a total of eight. The Chinese will probably build twelve of these vessels, and may produce as many as eighteen or more.

Capabilities:
The weapons and sensor systems for these powerful DDGs are completely based on indigenous technology. The notable four-array multifunction phased array radar (PAR) is larger and a significant improvement over the earlier PARS based on the Type 052C vessels, and may be as powerful as the U.S. AN/SPY-1 Aegis system.

The ship’s hanger on the stern of the vessel will accommodate one all-weather Ka-27 ASW helicopter carrying torpedoes and depth charges, and capable of operating up to 200km from the ship.

These vessels are also outfitted with a larger, 130mm gun which will outrange and be more dependable and accurate than the earlier 100mm gun in the Lanzhou Class. There is much speculation that these weapons will also be able to shoor Long Range Precision Guided Munitions (LRPGM).

The two VLS systems contain cells that are rectangular in nature, more like the US MK-41 VLS launcher. With two 32 cell VLS launchers, one fore and aft, the new DDG has 64 cells, improving over the earlier 48 cell, cold launched system on the Lanzhou Class. These launchers appear to be desinged to launch either long range anti-air missiles, anti-surface cruise missiles, or vetical launched anti-submarine missiles.

Summary:

With the addition of this class vessels, the PLAN has positioned itself very strongly in either the major/capitol ship escort role, or the Surface Action Group leader role for the PLAN blue water fleet. These vessels will ideally serve as very strong, multi-role, wide-area air defense coverage escorts for vessels like their Type 71 LPD vessels and certainly their current aircraft carrier, the CV-16, Liaoning, the PLAN commissioned in September of 2012, and others that they are planning.