China Gets Third Sovremenny Destroyer

Strategy Page ^ | 2005 Dec 30

[Wiz]

December 30, 2005: China has received a third Sovremenny class destroyer from Russia. The first two were taken out of Russian navy service and sold to China. These next two are newly built, and improved versions. These ships, displacing about 8,800 tons each, are equipped to defend itself with anti-aircraft missiles, and attack enemy ships with eight large ("Shipwreck"), supersonic anti-ship missiles. Each ship has an anti-submarine helicopter, 48 anti-aircraft missiles, four torpedo tube, mines, depth charges, sonar, two 130mm (5 inch) guns and a modern electronic warfare system. These ships cost $700 million each, about half what their American counterparts, the latest Aegis destroyers, go for.

[Dundee]

Harpoon?

One Mk 48 more like it. You need at least 4-6 Harpoon for a Sov.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Don't be so quick to dismiss them. If one of these destroyers gets within 120 miles of an American ship, they have a better than even chance of ripping it apart with its SS-N-22 Sunburn supersonic cruise missiles. With a speed somewhere between mach 2-3 and a warhead that weighs 320 kilograms (about 700 pounds), these waveskimmers will be extremely difficult to shoot down, even with AEGIS.

Yes, this would likely be a suicide mission for the ChiCom destroyer, but they would give up a pretty bloody nose first.

[Oztrich Boy]

Probably capable of matching the KIdd class rubbish the US is supplying to Taiwan

[maestro]

?China Gets Third Sovremenny Destroyer
for the forthcoming Chinese 'Cuban' Fleet for South American Empire?

[Zack Nguyen]

They'll end up as target practice if and when China decides to assert itself in the Taiwan Straights or in disputed Japanese waters.

I'm worried that we may not fight for Taiwan if China invades.

[rodguy911]

Like minds! I was just wondering
how far you can see them glow once
they get blown to smithereens!!

[NEPAConservative]

True True

[xkaydet65]

The Sovremenny is a pig. It is the final design of those 60s Soviet vessels that tried to jam as much ordnance into a frame as possible. Some of these vessels were so unstable that they'd threaten to go over 90 degrees in moderate seas.
On the other hand if the Russans start selling Udaloys then our sub forces have more of a problem. The Udaloy is a Spruance style vessel. Good seakeeping, and excellent ASW suite.

[Frank_Discussion]

"These next two are newly built, and improved versions."

[ANGGAPO]

I suspect that congress would be reluctant to go to war again after Iraq considering the Liberal content.

[TCats]

You might be right but, if that happens, it will be Munich/Chamberlain all over again. Would buy a little time but would not prevent the ultimate showdown.

[neodad]

Thi Kidds are far superior to a Sovremenny. The MK26 launcher is more effective than VLS for a sea skimming threat. The sov is the same era, but built to attack U.S. carrier battle groups.

[Blueflag]

Roger that. A single Harpoon would cause damage but certainly not sink this vessel. Unless you managed some spectacular secondaries and fires.

A Mk48 under the keel would do the trick nicely.

One of the best counters to this ship in the Straits of Taiwan is the Taiwanese diesel-electric boats and other unnamed undersea assets.

[oxcart]

Meanwhile 3 light years ahead of the Russians/Chinese we have the; DD(X) Demonstrator Specifications: Type: Technology Demonstrator Power Plant: Unknown Prime Contractor: Dakota Creek Industries Length: 133 ft. Beam: Unknown Crew: Unknown The US Navy has revealed an "Advanced Electric Ship Demonstrator" named Sea Jet. The $16 million, 133-foot-long steel vessel was built by Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes, Washington. It's a one-quarter scale model similar to the Navy's new D-D-X class of destroyers. With angled sides, knife-blade bow and rudderless underside, the Sea Jet will allow the Navy to test hull and bow designs, as well as new technologies in propulsion, fuels, stealth and materials. Tests aboard the Sea Jet will be conducted by scientists from the Navy's Acoustic Research Detachment at Lake Pend Oreille near Bayview, Idaho.

[Willie Green]

"These next two are newly built, and improved versions."

You shouldn't disturb Johnnie with irrelevant details, Frank.
Afterall, the Chicoms are our "friends"...
they loan us money so we can outsource our industrial technology to them...
nothing to worry about at all...
</sarcasm>

[Blueflag]

Think also of how vessels like this WON'T be crewed. Think armed Global-Hawk or armed Predator on a sea-going basis.

When you don't have to have to have a crew, crew-served weapons or protect a crew, a vessel can pack an incredible punch.

While THIS prototype is visually represented to have a crew ... think UAVs made for surfleet ops.

[WLR]

Russia makes pretty decent Military Equipment and needs the money.

China needs all the encouragment we can give it if it is going to attack Tiawan.

We have a bunch of frustrated Naval Officers who have yet to really get into the War on Terrorism.

Russia gets the money,
China gets something decent to fight with.
Our Naval Officers get something worth sinking and a little combat experience

Now that is Just Win Win Win all around in my book.

[RayChuang88]

Mind you, we already HAVE Aleigh Burke-class destroyers with substantially-reduced detectability, which means the DDG-51 class destroyers can get close to the Chinese-owned Sovremmeny-class destroyer and seriously damage it with multiple Harpoon attacks.

[PAR35]

The Chinese are buying 25 year old Russian ships!!!

Well done! How long have you been a red chinese agent?

"These next two are newly built "

[Desron13]

Funny, they look like the ships that were afloat when I was in the navy twenty years ago.