Ningbo (139) is a Type 956EM destroyer of the People's Liberation Army Navy.
| History | |
|---|---|
 China | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | |
| Builder | Severnaya Verf, Saint Petersburg |
| Laid down | 15 November 2002 |
| Launched | 23 July 2004 |
| Commissioned | 27 September 2006 |
| Renamed |
|
| Homeport | Zhoushan |
| Identification | Pennant number: 139 |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type 956EM destroyer |
| Displacement | 6,600 tons standard, 8,480 tons full load |
| Length | 156 m (511 ft 10 in) |
| Beam | 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in) |
| Draught | 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 shaft steam turbines, 4 boilers, 75,000 kW (100,000 hp), 2 fixed propellers, 2 turbo generators, and 2 diesel generators |
| Speed | 32.7 knots (60.6 km/h; 37.6 mph) |
| Range |
|
| Complement | 350 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys | 2 PK-2 decoy dispensers (200 rockets) |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 1× Ka-27 series helicopter |
| Aviation facilities | Helipad |
Development and design edit
A 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 956EM ships 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 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 edit
Ningbo was laid down on 15 November 2002 and launched on 23 July 2004 by Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg. She was commissioned on 27 September 2006.
On 15 March 2021, Taiyuan, Ningbo and a Type 054A of the East Sea Fleet conducted a live firing exercise.[3]
On 14 November 2023, Ningbo harassed divers from the HMAS Toowoomba by activating her sonar while divers were removing a fishing net that had become entangled in one of the propellers of the Australian ship. Several RAN divers were slightly injured as a result. [4]
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Project 956 (Sovremenny Class) Missile Destroyer". SinoDefence. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006. Retrieved 22 August 2006.
- ^ "昔日金刚成绿叶！东海舰队"现代"舰跟着052D军演". Sina News (in Chinese). 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Hooper, Craig. "Chinese Navy Sonar Blasts Aussie Sailors; Fallout Threatens Australia's Pro-China Government". Forbes. Retrieved 18 November 2023.