The Chinese navy has commissioned a new “upgraded” missile destroyer as it’s expanding its fleet at a breakneck speed to catch up with the US naval strength.
China’s navy has inducted a new “upgraded” missile destroyer as it rapidly expands its fleet in an effort to close the gap with US naval power.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has commissioned a Type 052D guided-missile destroyer named Loudi, equipped with enhanced radar, weapons and network systems, according to reports in official media on Friday.
Zhang Shengwei, a crew member aboard Loudi, told the state-run Global Times that the warship is built on a new system design and architecture, significantly improving its combat performance in areas such as air defence, maritime attack and task force command.
He added that the destroyer is capable of carrying out long-range assault and strike operations against targets, while also providing defensive protection to allied vessels during missions.
Observers say the new ship’s addition highlights the feverish pitch at which the Chinese navy is expanding its fleet, adding a ship a month.
According to a recent BBC report, the Chinese navy has emerged as the world’s largest, operating 234 warships compared to the US Navy’s 219 ships.
Between 2019 and 2023, China’s four largest shipyards – Dalian, Guangzhou, Jiangnan and Hudong-Zhonghua – produced 39 warships with a combined displacement of 550,000 tonnes, according to a study by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
With the addition of Loudi, the Chinese navy has added 11 combat vessels, including the aircraft carrier Fujian, in 2025.
In addition to building its own fleet, China is supplying modern naval ships and submarines to its all-weather ally Pakistan.
Last month, China launched a fourth Hangor-class submarine, named Ghazi, for Pakistan. It is the second Pakistani submarine to be named after Ghazi. The first one was blown up near the Visakhapatnam port during the 1971 war with India.
Pakistan has signed an agreement with China for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines. The first three were launched earlier.
With inputs from agencies
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