China to strengthen Northern Fleet: two new 052DM destroyers commissioned

Heze (tail number 126)

The Chinese shipbuilding company Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) has officially handed over two new advanced guided missile destroyers, Type 052DM, to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. These ships are assigned to the Northern Theater of Operations Command.

The new destroyers were named Heze (tail number 126) and Zhumadian (tail number 127). Both vessels were built at DSIC's first assembly plant in Dalian. Their official commissioning took place in July 2025, which will significantly strengthen the combat power of the North Sea Fleet.

The construction of these ships proceeded rapidly: the Heze was launched on March 10, 2023, and the Zhumadian on August 28 of the same year. After completion and testing, they were assigned to their permanent duty stations: Heze was assigned to the 10th destroyer detachment, and Zhumadian to the 1st detachment of the North Sea Fleet.

The Type 052DM destroyers are upgraded versions of the well-established 052D class, equipped with improved radars, electronic warfare systems, and possibly updated vertical launchers. Their appearance is another evidence of the large—scale and continuous modernization program of the Chinese Navy.