China’s Type 051C destroyer Shenyang has been spotted undergoing sea trials after a reported refit, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) begins phasing out legacy warships following the commissioning of a massive wave of new vessels.
Witness photographs circulating on social media appear to show the Shenyang, hull number 115 and lead ship of the Type 051C class, with its Russian-made hardware replaced by domestic air defence systems.
While precise details have yet to be independently confirmed, the apparent changes raise questions about the future operational role of the Type 051C class, which once served as an important component of China’s regional air defence capabilities.
The Shenyang’s Russian 30N6E1 Tomb Stone phased-array radar and six 8-cell S-300FM long-range air defence missile vertical launch systems (VLS) reportedly have been removed in favour of four HQ-10 short-range systems, similar to those on smaller Type 054A frigates.