http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/052c.aspType 052C Guided Missile Destroyer
Following the launch of two Type 052B missile destroyers in 2002, Jiangnan Shipyard continued to build another two new guided missile destroyers for the PLA Navy. These two ships, reportedly designated as Type 052C, are fitted with the phased array radar system similar to the U.S. Aegis, as well as vertical launch systems (VLS) for the long-range air defence missiles. Once joining the service, these ships will become the PLA Navy�s most modern and sophisticated surface combatants.
Type 052C DDG
PROGRAMME
Construction of the two ships possibly began in 2001, right after the commencing of the Type 052B destroyer project. The first ship (pennant number 170) was launched on 29 April 2003, and the second ship (pennant number 171) on 30 October 2003. Based on the PLA Navy�s ship numbering system, these ships are likely to be deployed in the PLA Navy South Sea Fleet.
DESIGN
The ship�s construction is carried out through a modular approach to save construction time and costs. The two Type 052C destroyers are based on the same hull design as the two Type 052B destroyers which were launched earlier in the same shipyard, but are fitted with different weapon systems and sensors for different missions.
Compared to the Type 052B, the forward superstructure of the Type 052C is much taller, embedded with four fixed phased array radar antennas on the four sides. A similar arrangement can be seen on the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke class and Japanese Navy Kongo class destroyer. Six SAM vertical launcher systems are located between the forward superstructure and the front 100mm main gun. There is a helicopter flight deck and a hanger to accommodate two Russian Ka-28 Halix-A ASW/SAR helicopters.
Type 052C DDG
WEAPON SYSTEMS
Details of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) that will be installed onboard the Type 052C is still unclear, although unconfirmed reports indicated that it might be the shipborne variant of the Chinese indigenous HongQi-9 (HQ-9) long-range SAM system. The semi-active radar guided HQ-9 SAM is believed to have been under development since the mid-1990s, and is said to be comparable in general performance to the Russian S-300 and U.S. Patriot. A total of 36 SAMs are launched from six 6-cell revolver vertical launch systems, possibly based on Russian designs.
The anti-ship missile (SSM) system may also be a new design, possibly the improved YingJi-85 (YJ-85/C-805), or the next-generation YingJi-12 (YJ-12). A 100 mm single-barrel main gun is located on the front deck. In addition, there are two Type 730 close in weapon (CIW) systems located on front deck and top of the helicopter hanger respectively.
Nevertheless, the Type 052C is China's most capable surface combatant, being able to provide a true fleet air defence capability which was never possessed by the PLA Navy.
Type 052C DDG
PROPULSION
The propulsion system in the form of CODOG consists of two Ukraine-made DA80/DN80 gas turbines and two indigenous diesels.

