China Deploys Type 052D Destroyer for Gulf of Oman Drills

In a significant move signaling deepening military ties between Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran, China deploys Type 052D Destroyer, the Baotou, alongside the supply ship Gaoyouhu to participate in a trilateral naval exercise with Iran and Russia.

The joint drills, dubbed “Security Belt-2025,” commenced on March 10, 2025, near the strategic Iranian port of Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman—a region critical to global trade and energy security.

While China presents the exercises as routine drills aimed at improving maritime security and cooperation, the deployment of a 052D destroyer—one of the most advanced warships in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)—raises significant geopolitical questions. Is Beijing simply fostering regional partnerships, or is this a calculated show of force meant to challenge U.S. influence in the region?

About the Security Belt-2025

The Security Belt-2025 exercise involves a series of naval drills designed to improve coordination among China, Russia, and Iran in the strategically important Gulf of Oman. These exercises include simulated maritime attacks, where participating forces train under realistic combat scenarios to enhance their ability to respond to potential threats at sea.

Additionally, the drills feature joint search and rescue operations, strengthening emergency response mechanisms and fostering cooperation in humanitarian missions. Another critical component is vessel inspection training, simulating real-world maritime security scenarios such as counter-piracy operations and interdictions of potential threats.

This naval exercise is highly symbolic, given its location in the Gulf of Oman, a body of water adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial maritime chokepoints through which nearly a third of global seaborne oil shipments pass.

By conducting military drills in this region, China, Russia, and Iran are not only bolstering their military cooperation but also signaling their strategic alignment in an area where the U.S. Navy maintains a dominant presence. The implications are clear—this is more than just a training exercise; it is a statement of intent in a region where geopolitical tensions are already high.

More about the Chinese Navy: How Powerful China’s Navy

Type 052D Destroyer Overview

The Type 052D destroyer, also known as the Luyang III-class, is one of the most advanced warships in China’s growing naval arsenal. Designed for multi-role operations, it excels in air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and long-range strike missions, making it a highly versatile asset in modern naval warfare.

One of its standout features is its Type 346A AESA radar system, a highly sophisticated radar that provides advanced target-tracking and surveillance capabilities. This radar is often compared to the Aegis Combat System used on U.S. warships, allowing the 052D destroyer to engage multiple threats simultaneously.

Additionally, the ship is equipped with a 64-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS), capable of deploying a range of missiles, including the HHQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile (300 km range), the YJ-18 supersonic anti-ship missile (290 km range), the CJ-10 land-attack cruise missile (1,500+ km range), and the CY-5 anti-submarine rocket system. This powerful missile arsenal allows the 052D destroyer to engage enemy aircraft, ships, and land-based targets with precision.

In terms of defense, the destroyer is armed with a 130 mm H/PJ-38 naval gun for engaging surface and aerial threats, as well as close-in weapon systems (CIWS), such as the Type 730 or Type 1130, for last-line missile defense. It also boasts advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, and a helicopter hangar that supports aircraft like the Harbin Z-9C or Kamov Ka-28.

With a displacement of 7,500 tons, a maximum speed of 30 knots, and an operational range of 4,500 nautical miles, the Type 052D destroyer is built for endurance, making it suitable for both independent missions and escort roles within a larger naval strike group.

How does the Type 052D compare to other destroyers?

The Type 052D destroyer is frequently compared to other leading warships in the world, particularly the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which serve as the backbone of the American surface fleet. While both ships share similar capabilities, key differences exist.

The Arleigh Burke-class features a 96-cell VLS, compared to the 052D’s 64, giving it superior missile capacity. Additionally, the Arleigh Burke-class displaces 9,200 tons, significantly more than the 7,500-ton Type 052D, allowing for greater onboard systems and endurance.

However, the 052D is more cost-effective, estimated to be a quarter of the price of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, allowing China to produce them in greater numbers.

When compared to India’s Kolkata-class destroyers, the Type 052D holds a distinct advantage in firepower. The Kolkata class is primarily armed with 16 BrahMos missiles and 32 Barak air defense missiles, far fewer than the 64 VLS cells on the 052D.

Additionally, while the BrahMos missile has a range of 290 km, the CJ-10 cruise missile on the 052D boasts a range of over 1,500 km, providing a much greater striking capability. However, the Kolkata class has a stronger propulsion system, potentially making it better suited for absorbing future technological upgrades.

China’s own Type 055 destroyer, often referred to as the most powerful destroyer in the world, significantly outclasses the Type 052D in terms of raw firepower. With 112 VLS cells—almost double the 052D’s 64—the Type 055 is a true next-generation warship.

It also features more advanced sensors, better stealth characteristics, and the ability to carry twice as many helicopters. While the Type 055 destroyer represents the pinnacle of Chinese naval power, the 052D remains a critical component of the PLAN.

What’s Next?

By deploying the Type 052D destroyer to joint naval drills with Iran and Russia, China is making a bold strategic move that extends beyond mere military cooperation.

This deployment showcases Beijing’s growing ability to project naval power well beyond the Indo-Pacific, a development that will not go unnoticed by the United States and its allies.

The Gulf of Oman is a vital corridor for global trade and energy flows, and China’s presence there reflects its ambition to secure its interests in regions traditionally dominated by Western naval forces.

As China continues to modernize its navy and expand its strategic partnerships, the role of the Type 052D destroyers will only grow. These warships, with their impressive capabilities and cost-effectiveness, will play a crucial role in China’s pursuit of a blue-water navy—one capable of operating far from home and challenging U.S. maritime dominance in key geopolitical hotspots.

The real question now is whether this is just another step in China’s long-term plan to establish itself as a dominant global naval power or if this signals the beginning of a new era of Chinese military influence in the Middle East.