Recently, the lead destroyer of the Chinese Navy, 052D, following the 052DE, was unveiled at major defense exhibitions around the world under the name of "large frigates". This shows that 052D can already be considered a "shelf commodity" in principle. However, there is a lot of attention to how this product is sold, as can be seen from the name "large frigate". Today, let's briefly ** the export situation of the 052D and the debut of the new "youth version" 052D.
According to the nomenclature convention, the appearance of the Type 052DE means that the Type 052D destroyer is already available for export "in principle". The 052D is equipped with advanced large-scale active phased array radar and a complete range of long-range (land, sea, air and submarine) strikes, which is very eye-catching in terms of both the advanced and lethal capabilities of the equipment. If 052D can be exported, then China will become the only country in the world that has both productivity and the whole ship + supporting equipment to export destroyers, which is of great significance.
However, due to secrecy, exports must be made to "friendly" countries. But it is precisely because of its "heavyweight" that even if it can be exported, how to export it is also particular. It mainly includes the following three aspects: the selection of export objects, "desensitization" processing and the launch of the "youth version" 052D. The choice of export object is extremely important, because 052DE and its supporting ** have a strong "offensive" attribute.
This means that the export of 052DE has gone beyond the scope of the equipment itself, and it is not something that anyone who has the money can buy if they want to. In order to reduce its "sensitivity", the most direct way is to change the name, just like the 052DE destroyer was called a "large frigate" at the defense exhibition. Although it sounds a bit "cover-up", the ** field and the audience are often like this, everyone is more concerned about the surface, and the facts are irrelevant.
In addition, according to the friendliness of customers, needs, and understanding of equipment, it is standard practice for major countries to make corresponding "adjustments" when exporting ** equipment. 052DE is also ready for corresponding "adjustments", including the launch of the "youth version" 052D, that is, the "5000-ton frigate". This conceptual design is similar to the 052D in appearance, but more concise, and the shipboard equipment and ** are also similar to the 052D.
In the case of a reduction in the tonnage of the ship, it is possible to improve the combat performance and optimize the sailing performance without a significant increase in costs. This measure shows the level of China's overall defense industry, and it is only a matter of time before China exports surface combat ships of the top technological level in the future.