China Reinforces Naval Combat Superiority with New Type 052D Destroyer Equipped with AESA Radar.

According to information published by official Chinese media and confirmed by a statement from the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on June 2, 2025, a newly upgraded version of the Type 052D destroyer has been deployed in a large-scale series of naval training exercises. The vessel, named Weinan, participated alongside the Yulin destroyer and other surface combatants. These exercises, organized by a naval training center and a destroyer unit under the Southern Theater Command, took place across multiple maritime zones and aimed to evaluate formation-level tactical coordination as well as command decision-making capabilities in simulated combat conditions.
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The key enhancement observed on the Type 052D is its dual-face radar system, replacing the spherical radar domes used on earlier versions of the same class (Picture source: China Military)

The Type 052D, a modern guided missile destroyer, demonstrated enhanced operational performance across several scenarios. In one exercise, the naval formation engaged a simulated threat in the form of an unmanned vessel. Using its new radar systems, the Type 052D detected the target at a distance and neutralized it with its main gun. In another scenario, simulating a coastal engagement, the ship deployed onboard drones to locate mock enemy positions. The data collected in real time was relayed to the fleet, enabling coordinated strikes on designated targets. This sequence demonstrated effective integration of unmanned aerial systems into the command-and-control structure.

The key enhancement observed on the Type 052D is its dual-face radar system, replacing the spherical radar domes used on earlier versions of the same class. Photographic analysis confirms the radar is visually similar to that of the recently commissioned Type 054B frigate. According to Chinese military analyst Fu Qianshao, this system is likely a rotating active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, offering significantly improved tracking and detection capabilities against both aerial and maritime targets, including stealth threats. The deployment of such a system on an operational destroyer marks a notable shift in the capabilities of China's surface fleet.

This radar evolution is part of an ongoing modernization process for the Type 052D class. In April, China Central Television (CCTV) reported a previous modification featuring an aft-mounted radar to enhance early warning coverage, an expanded helicopter deck to support a wider range of aircraft, and an upgraded universal vertical launch system (VLS) capable of deploying various missile types for multidomain engagement. These adjustments reflect a deliberate approach aimed at increasing operational capabilities without requiring major redesigns.

The Type 052D, referred to as the "Kunming" class by Chinese sources and designated "Luyang III" by NATO, represents the latest generation of guided missile destroyers in the PLA Navy. Developed from the Type 052C, it maintains a similar hull but introduces a stealth-optimized superstructure, a 130mm H/PJ-38 main gun, and a 64-cell universal VLS. This system is designed to accommodate long-range HHQ-9B surface-to-air missiles, supersonic YJ-18A anti-ship missiles, and CY-2 anti-submarine rockets, significantly expanding the destroyer's tactical flexibility.

With a full-load displacement of 7,500 tons and speeds exceeding 30 knots, the Type 052D is built for operations across diverse maritime environments, from coastal zones to open-ocean deployments. It performs a range of roles, including area air defense, anti-submarine warfare, high-value unit escort, and long-range strike missions. Equipped with modern electronic systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and a flight deck supporting either a Z-9C or Ka-27 helicopter, the destroyer serves as a balanced and capable platform, comparable in functionality to U.S. Navy AEGIS-equipped destroyers.

The design of the Type 052D is based on a modular and scalable architecture that allows for the integration of newer technologies without altering the vessel’s structural core. This modular approach facilitates the rapid modernization of the fleet while ensuring continuity in operational deployment. The upgraded Type 052D reflects this incremental modernization strategy, leveraging an existing platform to enhance overall maritime capability. It contributes to maintaining a high-readiness naval force capable of addressing evolving threats in increasingly contested strategic environments.

The Type 052D destroyer in its current configuration illustrates the PLA Navy's phased force development strategy. Its advanced radar system, multidomain engagement capabilities, incorporation of unmanned technologies, and role in coordinated command exercises make it a clear example of China’s ongoing naval modernization. More than a technical update, this development represents a structural advancement toward a fully operational, interoperable, and strategically capable blue-water fleet.