A Type 052D destroyer and a Type 903A logistics ship of the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China entered the Baltic Sea yesterday. The unusual presence of the Chinese vessels is due to a protocol visit scheduled for the Russian Navy Day celebrations in St. Petersburg, where a naval parade was planned.
Thanks to sequences and images that went viral on social media, it became known that the “Jiaozuo” 163 Type 052D destroyer and the “Honghu” 906 Type 903A logistics ship entered the waters of the Baltic Sea escorted by a patrol vessel of the Royal Danish Navy, likely a Diana-class unit.
These two Chinese vessels, along with the missile frigate “Xuchang” 536 Type 054A, are part of the 46th anti-piracy mission of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. This naval formation was assembled to safeguard maritime routes crucial to Chinese commerce, particularly in light of heightened dangers in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea, where Houthi forces have been attacking merchant ships using aerial and naval drones, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.
The deployment of the Chinese Navy ships coincided with Operation “Prosperity Guardian,” led by the United States and allied countries to ensure safe passage through the Red Sea and provide security for merchant ships in those waters.
The 46th fleet of the People’s Liberation Army Navy departed from the port of Zhanjiang in southern China to take over the mission from the 45th naval fleet in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.
As in previous instances, the People’s Liberation Army Navy uses these deployments to visit various ports in Africa. On this occasion, they also decided to sail to St. Petersburg to participate in Russian celebrations. However, the planned naval parade for the occasion was canceled due to security concerns, so the presence of the “Jiaozuo” destroyer and the “Honghu” logistics ship is expected to be purely ceremonial.
Regarding the ships entering the Baltic Sea, these are among the most modern units of the Chinese Navy. The Type 052D multi-purpose destroyers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy are equipped with AESA radar systems and a comprehensive electronic warfare suite. In terms of offensive and defensive capabilities, these 7,500-ton fully loaded displacement ships feature 64 vertical launchers capable of housing surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles. The latest batch of the D series has a longer hull compared to previous versions, incorporating improvements in propulsion and command/control systems.
On the other hand, the Type 903A logistics ship represents a new design that enhances operational presence with capabilities for refueling and supplying other provisions at sea. Weighing over 23,000 tons fully loaded, the “Honghu” can carry up to 10,500 tons of fuel, 250 tons of fresh water, and 680 tons of various cargo.
Cover image illustrative. Credits: China Military
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