Type 052D Destroyer Hefei (174) was commissioned on December 12th 2015
according to the PLAN. |
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Destroyers: » 1x Type 052C (153 Xi'an, last ship of the class) » 2x Type 052D (173 Changsha and 174 Hefei) |
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Type 054A Frigate "Huanggang" (hull number 577), the seventeenth
vessel of the class during the commissioning ceremony. |
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Commissioning of Type 056 Corvette Xinyang |
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Corvettes: » 5x Type 056 and 056A (ASW variant) (503 Suzhou, 501 Xinyang, 502 Huangshi, 504 Suqian, 505 Qinhuangdao) |
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Vessel 868 is seen transporting a Zubr class (Project 12322) LCAC in this
official picture from the shipyard in charge of the building the vessel.
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Other
non-front line vessels commissionned in 2015: » 1x "Chinese MLP" (official Type designation still unknown) 868 Donghaidao » 2x Type 072B Landing Ship Docks (981 Dabieshan, 982 Taixingshan) » 1x Type 903A Replenishment Oiler (960 Dongpinghu) » 2x Type 904B General Stores / Supply Ships (961 Junshanhu, 962 Luguhu) » 1x Type 636A Hydrographic Survey Ship (873 Qianxuesen) » 2x Type 815A Electronic Surveillance Ships (855, 852 Haiwangxing) » 1x 5,000 tons ice breaker (722 Hai Bing) » 1x Project 12322 Zubr LCAC (3326) |
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PLAN Naval Aviation Y-8FQ Cub/High New 6 (GX-6) Maritime Patrol Aircraft
entered operational service with the North Sea fleet in 2015. |
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New
MPA 2015 saw some Chinese naval aviation developments as well, with the new induction of the new GX-6 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) with the 2nd Naval Aviation Division 6th Regiment based in Dalian. The Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) variant of Y-8, the Y-8FQ Cub (also known as GX-6 for High New 6) first surfaced on the Chinese internet in November 2011. |
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Chinese DF-26 medium-to-long-range ballistic missile at military parade
of September 3, 2015 |
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Anti Ship Ballistic Missiles While not operated by PLAN, the DF-21D and DF-26 Anti Ship Ballistic Missiles were two important systems showcased during the military parade of September 3, 2015 in Beijing. China has developed and tested its first anti-ship ballistic missile, designated DF-21D. Maximum range is believed to be about 1,700 kilometers The DF-26 is a medium-to-long-range ballistic missile. The DF-26, based on the DF-21, is nicknamed the “Guam Killer” as its range of about 3,500-4,000 km is roughly the distance required for China to take out the US island territory and strategic naval base. |
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China's Defense Ministry Confirmed the Construction of an Aircraft Carrier
Type 001A for PLAN on December 31st 2015. |
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What's
next for 2016 ? Here is what we can expect for this year: » The PLAN already commissioned a new Type 054A Frigate (532 Jingzhou) on January 5th 2016. The PLAN could order more on top of the 24 already ordered. A new full electric propulsion variant designated Type 054B could appear. » Commissioning of several more Type 052D Destroyers. » Launch of the Type 001A Aircraft Carrier is expected by some for the Summer. » First steel cutting for China's third Aircraft Carrier, Type 002, may happen this year at Changxing Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai. » The keel laying for PLAN's next generation 12,000 tons Destroyer, the Type 055 at Changxing Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai. » The keel laying of probably two additional Type 071A LPDs. » The first steel cut of PLAN's first LHD, the Type 075, at Hudong shipyard. » Launch of the second Type 901 fleet replenishment oiler. » Commissioning of additional Type 056/056A Corvettes (up to 64 have been ordered by the PLAN). » Construction of additional Type 636A Hydrographic Survey Ships, Type 815A Electronic Surveillance Ships and/or Type 903A Replenishment Oilers. » Construction of additional Type 09IIIA and Type 09IIIB SSNs and Type 039C SSKs. |
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The Impressive Commissioning Pace of the Chinese Navy (PLAN) in 2015
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