The People’s Liberation Army Navy of China has quietly inducted into its fleet the missile destroyer Ganzhi (hull number 128), belonging to the Type 052D class.
The vessel officially entered service in December 2025, but visual confirmation that it is already fully operational only became public now, following its participation in naval exercises in the Yellow Sea.
Commissioned as the 33rd Type 052D destroyer, Ganzhi reinforces the PLA’s Northern Fleet at a time of clear acceleration in China’s naval program. The year 2025 marked a historic record for the class: seven units were introduced into service in just twelve months—more than double the previous average annual pace, estimated at around three ships per year.
The Type 052D class is regarded as one of the pillars of China’s surface navy, equipped with modern radar systems, vertical missile launch systems, and advanced air defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The current construction tempo indicates that the program continues at high speed, with expectations that the total number of Type 052D destroyers will exceed 40 units in the coming years.
The quiet entry of Ganzhi into service, followed by its appearance in live exercises, reflects Beijing’s increasingly common practice of reducing public announcements and allowing operational activity itself to confirm the expansion of its naval capabilities.
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Source and images: Chinamil. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
