Chinese destroyer Fuzhou (137)

Fuzhou (137) is a Type 956E destroyer of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Fuzhou underway in 2023
History
China
Name
  • Fuzhou
  • (福州市)
Namesake
BuilderSevernaya Verf, Saint Petersburg
Laid down22 April 1989
Launched16 April 1999
Commissioned20 November 2000
Renamed
  • from Vdumchivyy
  • (Вдумчивый)
HomeportZhoushan
IdentificationPennant number: 137
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeType 956E destroyer
Displacement6,600 tons standard, 8,480 tons full load
Length156 m (511 ft 10 in)
Beam17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
Draught6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Propulsion2 shaft steam turbines, 4 boilers, 75,000 kW (100,000 hp), 2 fixed propellers, 2 turbo generators, and 2 diesel generators
Speed32.7 knots (60.6 km/h; 37.6 mph)
Range
  • 3,920 nmi (7,260 km; 4,510 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
  • 1,345 nmi (2,491 km; 1,548 mi) at 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Complement350
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radar: Air target acquisition radar, 3 × navigation radars, 130 mm gun fire-control radars, 30 mm air-defence gun fire control radar
  • Sonar: Active and passive under-keel sonar
  • ES: Tactical situation plotting board, anti-ship missile fire control system, air defence, missile fire-control system, and torpedo fire control system
Electronic warfare
& decoys
2 PK-2 decoy dispensers (200 rockets)
Armament
Aircraft carriedKa-27 series helicopter
Aviation facilitiesHelipad

Development and design

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The project began in the late 1960s when it was becoming obvious to the Soviet Navy that naval guns still had an important role, particularly in support of amphibious landings, but existing gun cruisers and destroyers were showing their age. A new design was started, employing a new 130-millimetre (5.1 in) automatic gun turret.

The Type 956E destroyers were 156 metres (512 ft) in length, with a beam of 17.3 metres (56 ft 9 in) and a draught of 6.5 metres (21 ft 4 in).

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force (PLAN) had two modified Sovremenny-class destroyers delivered in December 1999 and November 2000. In 2002, the PLAN ordered two improved versions designated 956-EM. The first vessel was launched in late 2005, while the second was launched in 2006. All four vessels were commissioned to the East Sea Fleet.

The project cost was 600 million US$ (mid-1990s price) for Project 956E (two ships), and 1.4 billion US$ (early-2000s price) for Project 956EM (two ships).[1][2]

Construction and career

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Fuzhou was laid down on 22 April 1989 and launched on 16 April 1999 by Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg. She was commissioned on 20 November 2000.

References

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  1. ^ Novichkov, Nikolai; Chang, Yihong; Scott, Richard (8 January 2002). "China buys two more Project 956EM ships". Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 6 February 2002.
  2. ^ "Project 956 (Sovremenny Class) Missile Destroyer". SinoDefence. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006. Retrieved 22 August 2006.