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| PLAN Type 052D Destroyer (File Photo) |
The People's Liberation Army will soon be adding more of the highly-touted Type 052D destroyer to its fleet, reports the Canada-based Kanwa Defense Review.
After completing six Type 052C destroyers, China's Jiangnan shipyard is said to have shifted its focus to the Type 052D destroyer, which comes with several key improvements including its radar and engine systems.
The Type 052D has reportedly ditched the old Ukraine-made DA80 gas turbines used in the first two of the Type 052C vessels and has domestically upgraded the QC-280 gas turbine engines used in latter four Type 052C vessels to reduce weight and increase power. The DA80s were not ideal for the Type 052C given their considerable weight and fuel consumption, which is why they have not been considered for use in the Russian and Indian navies, the report said.
Read the full story at Want China Times