New photos of Type 052D destroyer 173 Changsha.

The Type 052D destroyer (NATO code name Luyang III class, or Kunming class after the lead ship) is a class of guided missile destroyers being deployed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force. Currently it is being built at two different Chinese ship yards.

After the Type 052C destroyer (NATO code name Luyang II class, or Lanzhou class after the lead ship), two new hulls were spotted under construction at Changxingdao-Jiangnan Shipyard (JNCX) in August 2012. According to the picture, they were armed with a new 130mm main gun and new AESA radar system. Altogether six vessels of this class are now fitting out or under construction, with a further two on order or planned, four vessels on sea trial and one vessel active.