The Type 052D, also called the Luyang III-class destroyer, is a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer class built for multi-role surface warfare, air defense, and strike operations. It is notable for its flat-panel AESA radar, universal canister vertical launch system, and continuing production across multiple Chinese shipyards.
The Type 052D is the PLAN's Luyang III guided-missile destroyer class. Sources describe it as a multi-role surface combatant with a canister-style universal VLS, flat-panel AESA radar, and an extended Type 052DL variant with a longer flight deck.
| Designation | Class note | Source-backed detail |
|---|---|---|
| Type 052D | Baseline class | Entered service in 2014 and remains in production. |
| Type 052DL | Stretched variant | Extended flight deck for improved aviation operations. |
