Sovremenny-class Destroyers

    In 1996, the PLA Navy purchased two 956E guided-missile destroyers from Russia. They were named the Hangzhou and Fuzhou, with hull numbers 136 and 137. The Sovremenny-class destroyers boast strong anti-ship defenses, as well as anti-air, anti-submarine and land support capabilities. They are equipped with Bailing anti-ship missiles, known as SS-N-22 Sunburns by NATO. The missile has an effective range of 120 km and a maximum flying speed of Mach 2.5. It can also fly close to the sea surface, and has a high penetration ability.

    The Sovremenny-class destroyers are also equipped with two sets of surface-to-air missile launchers for a total of 48 Gadfly SA-N-7 missiles, two sets of AK130-MR184 naval guns, four close-range AK630 guns, as well as two twin torpedo launchers. They also carry an anti-submarine helicopter, the Ka-27.

    China’s newer Sovremenny-class destroyers are the 138 Taizhou and 139 Ningbo. More advanced than the Hangzhou and Fuzhou, these two ships are also known as the 956EM-type. They have larger hangars offering better maintenance for helicopters. The original AK-630 guns were replaced with two sets of close-range guns deployed at either side of the hanger. The AK-130 naval gun was dismantled too.

    Sovremenny-class destroyer Hangzhou (hull number 136)

    956EM-type destroyer Ningbo (hull number 139)