 Shenzhen (appearance before the modernization) moored at Tokyo in November 2007 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company1 |
| Operators |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Preceded by | |
| Succeeded by |
|
| In commission | 1999-present1 |
| Completed | 1 |
| Active | 1 |
| History | |
| China | |
| Name | Shenzhen |
| Namesake | Shenzhen |
| Laid down | July 19961 |
| Launched | 16 October 19971 |
| Commissioned | December 1998 |
| Home port | Zhanjiang |
| Identification | Pennant number: 1671 |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type 051B destroyer |
| Displacement | 6,096 tonnes (6,000 long tons)1 |
| Length | 154 m (505 ft 3 in)1 |
| Beam | 16 m (52 ft 6 in)1 |
| Draught | 6 m (19 ft 8 in)1 |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)1 |
| Range | 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 14 knots1 |
| Complement | 250 (42 officers)1 |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys | |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 2 helicopters: (Kamov Ka-28 or Harbin Z-9C)1 |
| Aviation facilities | Hangar for two helicopters2 |
Shenzhen is a guided-missile destroyer operated by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It is the sole Type 051B destroyer (NATO reporting name: Luhai).1
Development and design
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the PLAN began developing capabilities for a wider range of strategic missions.6 During this time it produced multiple warship classes with short production runs, likely as experiments to develop satisfactory designs. The Type 051B destroyer was one of these designs.7
The Type 051B destroyer had "broad similarities" with the smaller preceding Type 051 destroyer.1 The Type 051B has a wider hull with increased stability, habitability, and armament.7 Integration of French and Russian systems was aided by previous experience on the Type 051 destroyer testbed.8 The ZKJ-7 combat data system is based on the Italian IPN-10 or -20.9 The light anti-aircraft guns were mounted aft to make space for the HQ-7 reloading system behind the launcher.1
It was unusual in being one of the few PLAN ships to have a hangar for two helicopters.2
The Type 051B was the first PLAN warship with a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) powerplant using Ukrainian gas turbines;10 the preceding Type 052 program had started with American General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, which could no longer be obtained after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre.11
One ship, Shenzhen, was built. The design then become the baseline for the Type 051C destroyer.1
The ship emerged from a major overhaul around 2016. The quarterdeck was enclosed. The "Top Plate"-derived radar was moved from the aft to the forward mast to remove its blind spot.2 The ship was rearmed with YJ-12 anti-ship missiles,12 and HHQ-16 surface-to-air missiles in a vertical launching system (VLS). Stern-deployed torpedo decoy and towed array sonar systems were installed.2
History
Shenzhen was commissioned in December 19981314 and served as a flagship for the South Sea Fleet.2 It made the PLAN's first goodwill visit to Africa in 2000. The ship also took part in the PLAN's first visit to Europe in 200114 and the first visit to Japan in 2007.15
The ship was refitted in 2004.5
Shenzhen was part of the second Chinese anti-piracy task force to the Gulf of Aden from April to August 2009. On the return journey it visited Pakistan and India.16
The ship was overhauled from 2014 through 2016 at Zhanjiang.17
Gallery
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Shenzhen entering Apra Harbor, Guam on 12 October 2003. -
Shenzhen in Apra Harbor, Guam on 22 October 2003. -
Shenzhen in Apra Harbor, Guam on 25 October 2003.
References
References
- Saunders 2015, p. 138.
- Tate, Andrew (10 August 2016). "Shenzhen destroyer set to re-join China's South Sea Fleet". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016.
- Gady, Franz-Stefan (August 10, 2016). "More Deadly Missiles: Upgraded Warship Rejoins China's South Sea Fleet". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- Suciu, Peter (May 11, 2020). "Chinese Warships Are Now Armed with Supersonic Anti-Ship Missiles". The National Interest. Archived from the original on May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- Gormley, Erickson & Yuan 2014, p. 45.
- McDevitt 2017, p. 21.
- Kirchberger 2015, p. 193.
- Kirchberger 2015, p. 194-195.
- Kirchberger 2015, p. 188.
- Kirchberger 2015, p. 144.
- Kirchberger 2015, p. 143.
- White, Ryan (24 May 2020). "PLAN Type 051B Destroyer Shenzhen 167 after modernization". Naval News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- "深圳南山：四大商圈集体迎深圳舰回家，献礼"最可爱的人"". Guangdong Department of Veteran Affairs. 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- Zheng, Tianran (2019-11-21). Qiu, Lifang (ed.). "深圳舰：勇敢当先锋". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- Cha, Chunming (2007-11-21). "中国海军"深圳"号导弹驱逐舰首访日本". Chinese Central Government. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- Liu, Qiuli, ed. (14 December 2018). "第二批护航编队" [2nd Escort Task Group]. China Military Network. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
- Carlson 2020, pp. 9–10.
Sources
Sources
- Carlson, Christopher P. (March 2020). "PLAN Force Structure Projection Concept, A Methodology for Looking Down Range". China Maritime Report (10). China Maritime Studies Institute.
- Gormley, Dennis M.; Erickson, Andrew S.; Yuan, Jingdong (2014). A Low-Visibility Force Multiplier: Assessing China's Cruise Missile Ambitions (PDF) (Report). Washington, D.C.: National Defense University Press.
- Kirchberger, Sarah (2015). Assessing China's Naval Power: Technological Innovation, Economic Constraints, and Strategic Implications. Global Power Shift. Springer. ISBN 978-3-662-47127-2.
- McDevitt, Michael (2017). "The Modern PLA Navy Destroyer Force". CSMI Red Book. 14. United States Naval War College: 55–65. ISBN 978-1-935352-45-7.
- Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2015). Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710631435.