Type 051b Luhai class (1996)

Chinese PLAN (built 1996-1999): DDG167 CNS Shenzhen

Designated by NATO Type 051B Luhai class, this PLAN’s 1999 destroyer is considered an important developmental step towards the best balanced guided missile destroyer China could afford as of 2026. Leading to a single ship, CNS Shenzhen, made in Dalian. She was larger than the Type 051 (NATO Luhu, China Harbin class), provided with a more modern and compact propulsion system, more stable, with a double hangar, better stealth caracteristics, and better balanced armament, sensors, notably a new command system, to the proce of a lower speed and reduced range. She was comprehensively overhauled and modernized in 2015-16 to be on par with the Type 054A frigates. She might still be around next year or even as far as 2030, future will tell, but became a major incremetal step towards better ships, and ultimately the famous Type 055 Luhai class cruisers.

Development

DDG-167 in Tokyo, 2007, an historic visit.
In the 1990s, the PLAN started expanding its domestic capabilities for a strategic missions further than the first island chain. Instead of the US that stuck to their Arleigh Burke class for decades, China thought best to test new warship designs, even short production runs or single ships in order to experiment satisfactory designs. The Type 051B guided missile destroyer was one of these most important experimental designs. It was indeed a step ahead of a previous game changing design, the NATO Type 052 Luhu class, CNS Qindao and Harbin. The latter, launched in 1991, were already a massive steam ahead of cold war Chinese designs, namely the 1960s Luda class. The latter were a 1950s Soviet Kotlin class, a “three island” design with space for torpedo tube sinitially transformed into antiship missile launchers. With 17 ships built over decades and many variants and upgrades to stay relevant, this class was still as the cold war ended, making the bulk of the Navy surface capabilities. The next Luhu class, built with a flush deck hull that still recalled that old design, had a completely different arrangement for armaments and sensors, which all came from Western countries as well as its propulsive plant. This was a brave nes leap in modernity, a clear departure from Soviet designs and an embrace of western tech that will mark the rebirth of the Chinese Armed Forces at large towards a purely domestic industry and designs.

Soon after the Luhu class CNS Harbin construction started in 1989 at Jiangnan Shipyard, it was planned already a heavily modified version, that large in dimensions to accomodate more systems, for a future class construction. The new class that was later known by NATO as the Type 051B (Type 51A is reserved for future upgrades of the Harbin class). It was to have “broad similarities” with the smaller preceding Type 051 destroyer but with a wider hull for increased stability, as it was known to be top-heavy. It was to have better habitability and armament. Both armazments and sensors would be the same or an evolution, with more domestic systems. Integration of French and Russian systems on the Type 051 proved a testbed for the development of truly Chinese systems indeed. One key aspect was the class’ ZKJ-7 combat data system, based on the Italian IPN-10 or-20. Another change was the relocatinf af light anti-aircraft guns aft to free the HQ-7 reloading system, behind the launcher. Another key aspect was the introduction of a build-in helicopter hangar for ASW work, large enough for two helicopters.

The Type 051B was also noted as the first with a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) powerplant. For this, Ukrainian gas turbines were procured. The previous Habin class indeed had instead the widespread American General Electric LM2500 gas turbines. Of course after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, the West resolutely banned further exports to China. A phenomenon almost of the same amplitude as the 1959 Sino-Soviet split left China more limited or indirect procurement choices, that a rapprochement with Russian and Ukraine helped to solve. Eventually, even that design was not envisioned as final and sitll had a few issues. In the end, only CNS Shenzhen was built, but it was groundbreaking, setting the basis for the next Type 051C destroyer and two ships made in the 2000s, notably featuring a brand new Russian S-300 FM SAM. This led eventually to the Type 052, currently the bedrock of the PLAN.

Design of the class

Hull and general design

The Type 051B is 6096 tonnes in displacement versus “only” 4,670 tonnes for the 051, and with an overall length of 154 m (505 ft 3 in) versus 144 m (472 ft 5 in) overall. This made her right away the largest warship ever built in China from the keel up. Today 6000 tonnes is assimilated to a “large frigate” for countries not willing to call it a destroyer. Since stability was looked for, she also not beamier having the same 16 m (52 ft 6 in) width but weight distribution was better done. Her draught of 6 m (19 ft 8 in) was also much greater thazn the Luhu class (5.1 m (16 ft 9 in) for both stability and extra buoyancy. This was also to free space to her new powerplant. She came with a crewof 240 versus 260 on the previous ships thanks to greater automation.

The hull of CNS Shenzhen is however comparable to the Harbin class in many ways. The shape is almost similar, with a well sloped prow, the same knuckle, finer entry lines, then a broad beam extended down to to the squat transom stern with a lower semi-open deck for the decoys and VDS below the helideck. It was flush-deck, albeit with a gradual slope from the bridge that went up to the bow in a gentle curve. There are two anchor, one at the bow itself, another on starboard. The general profile is blockier, with revised, fuller superstructures defined by three points, the bridge, which started with an upper deck as broad as the beam, stopped aft for the fore funnel, then missile canisters, then the aft mast and aft funnel, quared and provided with heat exhaust maskers to reduce IR visibnility. The came the long rear double hanfar with light AA on top and the helideck. The sides are sloped for stealthiness, albeit the amidship deck part is still “unclean”, unshielded from radar waves.

Powerplant

One real difference between designs is the war the 052B adopted a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) powerplant, and thanks to the post-Tien an Men embargo, had to rely on Ukrainian gas turbines instead of the American LM2500. The exact type sems to be Zoria-Mashproekt DT-59, and these gas turbines delivers 35.7 MW for 48,600 hp to compare to 55,000 shp (41,000 kW) on the previous destroyer. They are coupled with two MTU 1163 TB 83 diesel engines rated for 6.5 MW or 8,840 hp instead of MTU 12V 1163 TB83 diesels in the previous case. This produced more power for a top speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) versus 31 knots for the previous design. It seems a step back, and the range is about 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 14 knots versus 5,000 nm for the previous destroyer or even below 4,000 nm at 16 knots. These were points to improve on the next Type 051C.

Armament

The Type 051B being a destroyer, she is well provided for 3D defence, A/S, AA and ASW. She still have antiship missiles, in canister amidship and same number as before, sixteen YJ-83 like the previous class. The SAM department comprises an octuple launcher forward for HQ-7 short range surface-to-air missiles (a a Chinese version of the French Crotale) like the previous ship, forward at the foot of the bridge. She has for artillery the same twin 100 mm H/PJ-33B naval guns forward but eight 37mm AA guns in four twin mounts on top of the hangar instead of the Type 730 CIWS of the previous ship. Although not gatling style these twin-tube turrets still have a considerable rate of fire combined.

There is no obstruction for all four to fire on the same target indeed, provided it is not sea-skimming. For ASW she had two triple 324 mm acoustic torpedo tubes for close quatrers, same as the B515 for the Yu-7 in the previous destroyer. She however drops the RBU style FQF 2500 ASW rocket launchers of the previous destroyers but compensates for its two helocopter, either Kamov Ka-28 or Harbin Z-9C. Her anti-missile defence also relies on two Type 946 chaff launchers and two Type 947 chaff launchers. See later for EW systems.

Ying Ji-83 anti-ship missiles

The (likely) armoured canisters are located in two pairs facing port and starboard at an elevation angle behind the fore funnel. No reloads.
The YK-83 is an exocet in disguise, a sea-skimming subsonic model that has the following specs:
6.38 x 0.36 m(20.9 ft x 14 in), wingspan 1,22 m (48 in).
Warhead 190 kg HE-Frag or optionally with the 83K 165 kg HE-SAP.
Engine: CTJ-2 turbojet 180 km range at Mach 0.9, 20-30 m high, Mach 1.4 terminal at 4-5m high.
Guidance: Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance.
They were upgraded to the UJ-8A or C802 with better prerformances.

HQ-7

Comparable to the octuple Sea Sparrow launcher of Euro frigates of the 1970-80s, this is a derivative of the French R-440 Crotale SAM purchased in the 1980s. The launcher is reloadable via a hatch right aft of the launcher, vertically. This made for a total of sixteen missiles.
The Hongqi 7 launches a 84.5 kg (186 lb), 3 m (9.8 ft) x 0.156 m (6.1 in) missile powered by a solid fuel rocket between 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) on a fast target up to 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) on a slow one at full speed. It is guided by start Command for primary bearing, and Infrared homing.

100mm/56 twin Type 79 H/PJ-33B

Newest in the Type 79 family with redesigned 37t gun turret, more stealthy. Last installed. Next were the Type 210 and H/PJ87.
Automated system with 34 rounds in turret/feed system. 25 rpm per gun, 50 rpm combined, range 22.5 km, 15 km ceiling. Muzzle velocity 916 m/s. Upgraded in 2016.

37mm/63 type 76A

Very old Soviet design going back to 1938. The 37 mm/63 was produced successively as the Types 61, 76 and 76A. The latter is capable of c320-360 rounds per minute with an effective Effective AA Ceiling of 13,120 feet (4,000 m) at +85 degrees. They were replaced by CIWS in 2016.

324 mm Whitehead B515

Yu-7 Torpedo:
Mass 235 kg (518 lb), 2.7 m (8.9 ft) x 324 mm (12.8 in).
Otto fuel II, range 14.1 km (7.6 nmi) at 45 knots (83 km/h) down to 400 m (1,300 ft)
Warhead HE 45 kg (99 lb) shaped charge.
Guidance active/passive acoustic homing, steered by CIACIO-S seeker.
It can also be deployed by the on board helicopters.

Sensors

We will not not dwelve into detail into these here is the list:

Radars and Sonars

Combat management system ZKJ-7. As seen below, not a very successful system improved on the 052C.
Air search radar: Type 381A. In 2016 it was replaced by the “Top Plate” Type 382 radar.
Air/surface search radar: Type 360
Fire control radar: Type 344, Type 345, Type 347G, Type 360.

Navigation radar: Racal/Decca 1290 (French type)
Active sonar: DUBV-23 hull-mounted (French type).
+Towed array sonar in 2016
Optronic directors: GDG 776.
Satellite communications.

Electronic Warfare

Type 826 electronic support measure
Type 984 and Type 985 jammers
+Towed torpedo decoy in 2016.

Air Group: H9C

The optional capability to deploy the heavier and larger Ka-28 was added in 2016. It has some benefits for specific missions, but the baseline provision was initially, and remains two H9C which are essentially copies of the Eurocopter Dauphin. They are usable for liaison, SAR, reconnaissance and ASW work with their buoys and Yu-7 acoustic torpedoes.

Naval Encyc. profile for Amber Books

To compare, the Luhu (Harbin) class design.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	11,000 tons submerged.
Dimensions	137 m (449 ft 6 in) x 11.8 m (38 ft 9 in)
Propulsion	Unknown nuclear PW reactor, 1 shaft, unknown output
Speed	20-25 kts est.
Range	Unlimited
Armament	12x SLBM JL-2, 6x torpedo tubes
Sensors	H/SQC-207, see notes.
Crew	120-140

Career of CNS Shenzhen so far

CNS Shenzhen was laid down when the design was approved probably in 1995 and laid down in May 1996 at Dalian Shipyard in Northeastern China, close to her namesake megacity, albeit some sources cites July 1996. She was launched on 16 October 1997, so quite fast even for US standards, and completed in December 1998, a greater gap, not surprising given the number of new tech to absorb, even if it was essentially a derived design.

She was tested about her refined radar cross-section reduction features, sloped sides and superstructure, and her two solid masts with fewer protruding sensor and still cleaner deck compared to the Type 051 with betetr concealed weapon systems, and two funnels with reduced infrared signatures, inherited by next Type 051C. She also tested her great novelty, the ZBJ-1 fleet command system. Now part of most PLAN’s major surface combatants this gave them a command ship capability. First to receive it, tests were performed in the early 2000s and it was reported unwieldy and dropped until a much improved version was adopted for Type 052C and 052D.

CNS Shenzhen took part in many combined fleet exercises after the tests in 2000-2004. Before that she took part also in the first PLAN Navy’s goodwill visit to Africa, in 2000. The next year she visited Europe and Japan in 2007. In 2004, she had her first mid-life modernization refit in which sensors, her 100mm main gun and the HQ-7 were all upgraded. Shenzhen was part of the second Chinese anti-piracy task force to the Gulf of Aden from April to August 2009. On her return she visited Pakistan and India. In early 2015, she was back at the Zhanjiang naval base for another set of modifications, that analysts failed to quantify. Some even suggested a decommissioning. By January 2016 it was revealed as a deep refit, with new systems.

She had indeed a major overhaul over two years (from early 2015 to August 2016), gaining a fully enclosed quarterdeck, the “Top Plate” type radar moved from the aft to the forward mast (blind spot) and she had now YJ-12 anti-ship missiles plus the HHQ-16 surface-to-air missiles in a VLS instead of a traditional arm launcher. There was also a stern launched torpedo decoy and towed array sonar (VDS) to improve further her ASW capabilities. Her four old Type 76A 37 mm AA were removed and instead received two H/PJ-11 11-barreled 30 mm CIWS capable of 10,000 rpm also on top of the hangar. The HQ-7 was replaced by a 32-cell vertical launch system (VLS)taking the place of the whole superstructure. They fires the HQ-16 with improved range to 50–60 km (31–37 mi) with four similtaneously guided by Type 345 (Front-Dome type) illuminators. This was estimated to boost her SAM defence 16 times.

USN photos of DDG 167 in Apra Harbor in Guam. Top escorted in by USS Chancellorsville.

The helicopter hangar was further modified to carry a single Ka-28 ASW helicopter for added, longer range capabilities. She also had two new mast structures fitted with a Type 382 Radar on the forward mast, a Type 364 domed targeting radar aft. This put her to the same standard as the more recent Type 054A frigate. The one-face phased-array radar was replaced by the 4-face Type 382, moved from the aft to the forward mast as said above for better coverage. New apertures in the transom stern were observed to operate torpedo decoy and a new towed array sonar but apparently the variable depth sonar was removed.

Her records are unknown post-2016, that is over ten years. This will be complete as more info is coming. In service today, Shenzhen is probably intended to stay active until 2035 or more if converted as a school ship.

Type 051b Luhai class FFs (1999)