The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China has quietly added the missile destroyer Ganzhi (ship number 128), belonging to Type 052D, to its fleet.
The ship was officially commissioned in December 2025, but visual confirmation that it was in full operational condition was only recently revealed after it participated in naval exercises in the Yellow Sea.
Ganzi, the 33rd Type 052D destroyer to enter service, strengthens the People’s Liberation Army’s North Sea Fleet at a time when China’s naval construction program is significantly accelerating. 2025 was a historic year for this class. Seven ships were commissioned in just 12 months, well over doubling the previous rate, which was estimated to be about three ships per year on average.
The Type 052D is considered the core of China’s surface warship force, equipped with a modern radar system, vertical launch missile system, and advanced anti-air and anti-submarine capabilities. The current construction rate shows that the program is maintaining a high pace, and the total number of Type 052D destroyers is expected to exceed 40 in the future.
Ganzi’s quiet commissioning and subsequent unveiling in combat exercises reflects Beijing’s increasingly common practice of minimizing official announcements and demonstrating the expansion of its naval capabilities through actual operational activities.
+ Saab plans to produce 36 Gripen fighter jets per year and expand overseas production
Source and image: Chinamil. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
