Naval Systems

Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer

Also known as
  • Type 052C destroyer
  • Luyang II-class destroyer
  • Lanzhou class
  • Luyang II
  • DDG-170 Lanzhou
  • DDG-171 Haikou

The Type 052C, also known as the Luyang II-class destroyer, is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class built around area air defense and long-range maritime presence. Public sources describe it as the PLAN's first class to combine a fixed AESA radar, vertically launched HHQ-9 missiles, YJ-62 anti-ship missiles, and a helicopter facility; direct conflict coverage now includes Gulf of Aden escort deployments, a 2018 South China Sea FONOP encounter, and August 2022 Taiwan Strait crisis exercises.

Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class, Naval Systems
Image source: Category:Type 052C destroyers

Role in Conflicts

South China Sea Disputes
Area DenialDeterrence
Side
People's Republic of China

The Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer Lanzhou was documented approaching USS Decatur during a September 30, 2018 South China Sea freedom-of-navigation operation near Gaven and Johnson Reefs.

2022 Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis
Deterrence
Side
People's Republic of China

The Type 052C destroyer Changchun was documented in PLA exercises around Taiwan in August 2022, including anti-submarine activity southwest of Taiwan with its embarked Ka-28 helicopter.

Class Profile

The Type 052C is the PLAN's Luyang II air-defense destroyer class. It moved the Type 052 line from the mixed Russian-Chinese systems of the preceding Luyang I into a Chinese area-air-defense configuration built around Type 346 fixed AESA radar panels, HHQ-9 vertical launchers, YJ-62 anti-ship missiles, close-in guns, torpedo tubes, and a helicopter deck and hangar.

Radar fit

Type 346 four-panel AESA radar gave the class a modern fleet air-defense search and fire-control profile.

Primary SAM loadout

48 HHQ-9 missiles are carried in eight six-round vertical launchers, with six launcher groups forward and two aft.

Surface strike armament

Eight YJ-62/C-602 anti-ship missiles in two quad launchers give the class a dedicated anti-surface battery.

Aviation and ASW fit

The aft hangar and flight deck support a Z-9 or Ka-28 helicopter, supplementing sonar, torpedo tubes, and close-range self-defense weapons.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
China
Type
Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class
Service note
Entered service in 2004 and remains in Chinese naval service
Produced
2002-2015
Number built
6
Developed from
Type 052B / Luyang I-class destroyer
Developed into
Type 052D / Luyang III-class destroyer

Specifications

Displacement
About 7,000 tons full load
Length
About 155 meters / 509 feet
Beam
About 17 meters / 56 feet
Draft
About 6 meters / 20 feet
Speed
About 29-30 knots
Range
About 4,500 nautical miles at 15 knots
Crew
About 280 personnel
Sensors
Type 346 four-panel AESA radar, air-search radars, hull-mounted sonar, and likely towed-array sonar accommodation
Armament
48 HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, 8 YJ-62 anti-ship missiles, 100 mm gun, Type 730 CIWS, and torpedo tubes
Aviation
Aft hangar and landing deck for one Z-9 or Ka-28 helicopter
Propulsion
Combined diesel or gas (CODOG) with two gas turbines and two diesels
Variants

The Type 052C is the Luyang II member of the PLAN Type 052 destroyer line, following the Type 052B/Luyang I and preceding the Type 052D/Luyang III.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Type 052B / Luyang I-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class, Naval SystemsType 052B / Luyang I-class destroyerPredecessor Type 052 destroyer family member

USNI places the Luyang II in the Type 052 destroyer lineage after the Type 052B/Luyang I.

Sources: Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLAN

Type 052D / Luyang III-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class, Naval SystemsType 052D / Luyang III-class destroyerFollow-on Type 052 destroyer family member

USNI identifies the Luyang III / Type 052D as the follow-on class to the Luyang II / Type 052C.

Sources: Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLAN

Missiles Launched

The Type 052C combines long-range area air defense with a separate anti-ship missile battery.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
HQ-9, Long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air DefenseHQ-9Naval surface-to-air missile family

USNI describes the Luyang II / Type 052C class as carrying 48 HHQ-9 missiles in eight six-round vertical launchers.

Sources: Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLAN

YJ-62 anti-ship cruise missile, Chinese subsonic anti-ship cruise missile, MunitionsYJ-62 anti-ship cruise missileAnti-ship cruise missile

USNI describes the class as carrying eight YJ-62/C-602 missiles in two quad launchers for anti-surface warfare.

Sources: Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLAN

Timeline

Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer Key Events

  1. First Type 052C hulls begin construction

    Lanzhou and Haikou began construction at Jiangnan Shipyard as the first two Luyang II air-defense destroyers.

    Sources: Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLAN

  2. Lanzhou launched

    The first Type 052C, Lanzhou, was launched at Jiangnan Shipyard.

    Sources: Luyang II / Type 052C Multirole Destroyer

  3. Lead ship enters PLAN service

    Lanzhou joined the fleet in 2004, followed by Haikou in 2005.

    Sources: Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLAN

  4. Second batch enters service

    Changchun, Zhengzhou, Jinan, and Xi'an entered PLAN service, completing the six-ship class.

    Sources: Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLAN

  5. Mid-life overhaul context documented

    CMSI translated Chinese discussion of Lanzhou entering mid-life overhaul and upgrade work.

    Sources: CMSI Translation #11: Mid-Life Overhaul and Upgrade of the Type 052C Guided Missile Destroyer

Media

Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer Videos

Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer Images

Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class, Naval Systems - view 1
Source: Luyang II (Type 052C) Class Destroyer.JPG
Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class, Naval Systems - view 2
Source: Anti-ship missile launchers on CNS Haikou (DDG-171).jpg
Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class, Naval Systems - view 3
Source: Type 052C destroyer.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
Type 052D / Luyang III-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 052D / Luyang III-class destroyerChinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer classThe Type 052D, also called the Luyang III or Kunming class, is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer family built for area air defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and strike missions. The class pairs Type 346-series phased-array radar with a 64-cell vertical launch system, and later Type 052DL ships stretch the stern aviation area for a larger helicopter while production continues from Jiangnan and Dalian yards.
Type 055 / Renhai-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer or cruiser class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 055 / Renhai-class destroyerChinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer or cruiser classThe Type 055, also called the Renhai class, is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class built as a large multirole surface combatant for carrier escort, surface-action-group command, air defense, and missile strike missions. Public evidence ties the class to the 2022 Taiwan Strait crisis exercises and South China Sea disputed-feature patrols, while open naval references emphasize its 180-meter hull, 112-cell universal vertical launch system, Type 346B sensor fit, and cruiser-like magazine and command capacity.
Type 052B / Luyang I-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 052B / Luyang I-class destroyerChinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer classThe Type 052B, also called the Luyang I-class or Guangzhou-class destroyer, is a two-ship People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class built by Jiangnan Shipyard. Its combat system pairs Russian Shtil-1/SA-N-12 area air-defense launchers with YJ-83 anti-ship missiles, Type 730 close-in guns, torpedo tubes, and a helicopter hangar, and both ships later appeared in Chinese Gulf of Aden counter-piracy escort deployments.
Type 053H3 / Jiangwei II-class frigate, Chinese guided-missile frigate class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 053H3 / Jiangwei II-class frigateChinese guided-missile frigate classThe Type 053H3 / Jiangwei II-class frigate is a Chinese guided-missile frigate class built as the improved Jiangwei follow-on for the People's Liberation Army Navy. Open naval references describe ten ships produced from 1996 to 2005, a CODAD machinery plant, YJ-83 or export anti-ship missiles, HHQ-7 short-range air defense, anti-piracy escort deployments off Somalia, South China Sea shadowing activity, Taiwan Strait presence, and later transfer of two ex-PLAN hulls into Bangladesh Navy service.
Type 051B / Luhai-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 051B / Luhai-class destroyerChinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer classThe Type 051B, also called the Luhai class, is a single-ship Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class built around Shenzhen (DDG 167). Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company built the experimental, modular destroyer as a bridge toward later PLAN surface combatants, and Shenzhen is directly documented in China's 2009 Gulf of Aden counter-piracy escort mission.
Type 051C / Luzhou-class destroyer, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 051C / Luzhou-class destroyerChinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer classThe Type 051C, also called the Luzhou class, is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy air-defense destroyer class built by Dalian Shipyard for long-range fleet area air defense. Open-source references describe it as a two-ship class based on the earlier Type 051B hull and fitted with Russian S-300FM surface-to-air missiles, Type 730 close-in weapons systems, and a steam-turbine propulsion plant.
Type 054 / Jiangkai I-class frigate, Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile frigate class, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsType 054 / Jiangkai I-class frigateChinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile frigate classThe Type 054 / Jiangkai I-class frigate is the two-ship first generation of China's Jiangkai guided-missile frigate family, built at Shanghai and Guangzhou for the People's Liberation Army Navy before production shifted to the more capable Type 054A. Public sources identify Ma'anshan and Wenzhou as 2005-commissioned ships with YJ-83 anti-ship missiles, HQ-7 point air defense, AK-630 close-in guns, light torpedo tubes, and helicopter facilities; both hulls are documented in Chinese counter-piracy escort deployments in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters.

Sources

Luyang II / Type 052C Multirole DestroyerPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports the class designation, PLAN air-defense role, radar fit, missile loadout, helicopter facility, propulsion, speed, range, displacement, launch dates, and service background. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Luyang-II Class / Type 052C DestroyerPublisher: Naval Technology | Note: Supports the class designation and the published description of the Type 052C as a Chinese guided-missile destroyer class with an HHQ-9 VLS air-defense fit. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Air-Defense Destroyers for the PLANPublisher: U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings | Note: Supports Type 052C lineage, Jiangnan construction, service chronology, radar, missile, gun, ASW, aviation, propulsion, size, range, crew, and relationship claims for HHQ-9 and YJ-62. | Accessed: 2026-07-03CMSI Translation #11: Mid-Life Overhaul and Upgrade of the Type 052C Guided Missile DestroyerPublisher: U.S. Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute / Andrew S. Erickson | Note: Supports the Type 052C's historical significance in PLAN modernization, phased-array/VLS context, launch sequence, and mid-life overhaul discussion around Lanzhou. | Accessed: 2026-07-03An Overview of Chinese Military Activity Near Taiwan in Early August 2022, Part 2Publisher: Global Taiwan Institute | Note: Supports 2022 Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis direct use: Type 052C destroyer Changchun operating southwest of Taiwan during August 2022 PLA exercises with Ka-28 anti-submarine activity. | Accessed: 2026-07-03ITOW: PLA extends Taiwan encirclement exercisesPublisher: China Aerospace Studies Institute, Air University | Note: Supports 2022 Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis direct use: Type 052C destroyer Changchun and Ka-28 activity during PLA exercises around Taiwan on August 8, 2022. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Destroyer USS Decatur Has Close Encounter With Chinese WarshipPublisher: USNI News | Note: Supports South China Sea Disputes direct use: a PLAN Luyang-class destroyer approached USS Decatur near Gaven Reef during a September 30, 2018 freedom-of-navigation operation. | Accessed: 2026-07-03U.S. Navy Releases Images Of Chinese Warship's Dangerous Maneuvers Near Its DestroyerPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports South China Sea Disputes direct use by identifying the Chinese ship in the USS Decatur encounter as the Type 052C / Luyang II-class destroyer Lanzhou. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Chinese naval ships return from escort missionPublisher: China Daily / Xinhua | Note: Supports 2008 Somali Piracy / Operation Atalanta direct use: DDG-171 Haikou participated in China's Gulf of Aden escort mission. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Chinese Antipiracy Operations in the Gulf of AdenPublisher: U.S. Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute | Note: Supports 2008 Somali Piracy / Operation Atalanta direct use: Type 052C destroyer Lanzhou participated in Gulf of Aden anti-piracy mission activity. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Category:Type 052C destroyersPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance context for the Type 052C destroyer class gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Type 052C destroyer.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the primary Type 052C destroyer gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Luyang II (Type 052C) Class Destroyer.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Type 052C destroyer gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Type 052C Destroyer - Jinan (152) (40382419451).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Type 052C destroyer gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Anti-ship missile launchers on CNS Haikou (DDG-171).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Type 052C destroyer gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03