The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has quietly inducted the Type 052D-class guided-missile destroyer Ganzhi (hull number 128) into its fleet.
The vessel officially entered service in December 2025, but visual confirmation that the ship is fully operational only became public knowledge now, after it participated in naval exercises in the Yellow Sea.
As the 33rd Type 052D destroyer, the Ganzhi bolsters the PLAN’s Northern Fleet at a time when China’s naval program is clearly accelerating. The year 2025 marked a historic record year for the class: seven units were commissioned in just twelve months – more than double the previous annual average, estimated at around three ships per year.
The Type 052D class is considered one of the mainstays of China’s surface fleet and is equipped with modern radar systems, vertical missile launch systems as well as advanced air defense and anti-submarine capabilities. The current pace of construction indicates that the program continues apace, with expectations that the total number of Type 052D destroyers will exceed 40 units in the coming years.
The quiet induction of the Ganzhi into service, followed by the ship’s performance during real exercises, reflects Beijing’s increasingly widespread practice of limiting public announcements and letting actual operational activity confirm the expansion of the country’s maritime capabilities.
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Source and images: Chinamil. This content has been created with the help of KI and reviewed by the editors.
