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China’s Navy has decommissioned the Type 052 destroyer Harbin, hull number 112, following more than 30 years in service. The ceremony took place on Friday in Qingdao, Shandong province, marking the retirement of the first vessel in the class.
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Type 052 Harbin: three decades of service
Launched in August 1991, Harbin entered service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in May 1994. Across its 32 years of operations, the ship completed more than 100 major missions and sailed over 400,000 nautical miles.
According to the state news agency Xinhua, the destroyer called at 22 ports across 20 countries, including Russia, the United States and Australia. It also carried out two deployments to the Gulf of Aden and took part in more than ten joint exercises alongside Chinese and foreign forces.
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Operational milestones achieved by Harbin
Harbin also achieved several notable firsts for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. In 1997, it visited four countries in the Americas, becoming the first Chinese naval vessel to cross the Pacific and reach the American continent.
During an escort mission in 2013, members of its crew took part in the Seychelles National Day parade. Xinhua reported that this was the first time a People’s Liberation Army Navy formation had participated in a foreign national parade.
Following its decommissioning, hull 112 will serve as a national defence education facility. The vessel will remain berthed in Changsha, Hunan province, where it will be open to the public.
Characteristics of the Type 052 destroyer
Known to NATO and other sources as the Luhu class, the Type 052 was developed as a second-generation destroyer built in China. The class consisted of just two vessels, Harbin and Qingdao, and represented a transition between the Type 051 and later designs.
The ship displaced 3,670 tonnes and measured 144 metres in length, with a beam of 16 metres and a draught of 5.1 metres. Its propulsion system used General Electric LM2500 gas turbines in a CODOG arrangement, producing 55,000 shp and allowing a top speed of 31 knots.
In terms of armament, the Type 052 could deploy YJ-83 anti-ship missiles as well as the HQ-7 air-defence system. It was also fitted with a 100 mm gun, Yu-7 torpedo launchers and anti-submarine warfare systems, while being able to operate two helicopters.
Following a 2011 refit, Harbin received two 30 mm Type 730 CIWS systems and new anti-submarine rocket launchers. It was also equipped with Type 726-4 decoy launchers, intended to strengthen its defensive capabilities against a range of threats.
From the Type 052 to more modern destroyers
Development of the family continued with the Type 052B and Type 052C destroyers. The Type 052B was equipped with Russian Shtil-1 surface-to-air missiles, while the Type 052C introduced the HHQ-9 system, a Type 348 radar and vertical launch systems with 48 cells.
Subsequently, the Type 052D further developed the design through new radar systems, vertical launch systems and a broader range of armament. This class reached 64 launch cells and became one of the Chinese Navy’s principal escort and air-defence platforms.
The Type 052D vessels also progressively gained additional capabilities, including the use of the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile. In addition, images shared on social media showed a Z-20F helicopter operating from a destroyer of this class, although the information has not yet been officially confirmed.
The evolution of this family illustrates the modernisation process of Chinese destroyers that began with the Type 052. While Harbin is now assigned to defence education duties, the Type 052D represents a later generation with more advanced combat capabilities and launch systems.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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