Multiple Warships Make Their Debut: A Closer Look at the Navy's "New Faces"
In 2026, our Navy's Lou Di and Gan Zi ships made consecutive appearances at the training ground. The Lou Di ship, a Type 052D missile destroyer, completed a comprehensive offensive and defensive combat exercise, enhancing its combat capabilities; the Gan Zi ship conducted realistic training in the Yellow Sea, effectively improving the sustained combat capability and emergency response ability of its personnel.
In January 2026, the Navy's Lou Di ship made its debut, hull number 176, another new face among the People's Navy warships. As a new member of China's Type 052D missile destroyer family, Lou Di has made improvements in radar, weapon systems, and networks, possessing strong regional air defense, anti-surface strike, and fleet command capabilities. The rapid commissioning of naval vessels is not just about increasing the number of ships; the significance of speed lies in building a stronger system and forming a joint force more quickly. From near seas to far seas, from single ships to formations, wherever national interests lie, the ship's track must reach.
On the ocean, the Lou Di ship conducted a multi-subject, high-intensity comprehensive offensive and defensive combat exercise, with efficient information flow among various combat platforms and close firepower coordination, effectively testing the ship's rapid response, coordinated combat, and comprehensive anti-strike capabilities under sudden conditions.
Navy's Lou Di Ship Zhang Shengwei: The new type of ship adopts a new system and structure, further enhancing and improving its air defense and anti-missile capabilities, anti-surface strike, as well as fleet command and combat capabilities. It is both an attacking "sword" and a defensive "shield." It can carry out long-range strikes and attacks against the enemy while also safeguarding the safety of the ship formation during defense.
Navy's Gan Zi Ship "Draws Sword" in the Yellow Sea
Recently, the Navy's Gan Zi ship "drew its sword" in the Yellow Sea. Upon entering the task area, it received a report from higher authorities about "enemy" submarine activities in the surrounding waters.
As the alarm sounded, all personnel on board immediately rushed to their battle stations. With precise coordination from the operators at each station, they struck the "enemy," while the sound countermeasure systems simultaneously launched underwater countermeasure equipment to form an effective barrier.
This maritime training also included multiple exercises such as night anchoring, mooring and unmooring from buoys, maritime rescue, and helicopter takeoffs and landings, effectively enhancing the sustained combat capability and emergency response ability of the personnel.
Navy's Gan Zi Ship Li Bin: This maritime training, combined with harsh winter sea conditions and nighttime operations, aims to establish a combat-oriented approach, allowing all crew members to quickly familiarize themselves with new equipment and hone their essential skills.
(Source: CCTV Defense Military Channel's "Li Jian" program)
Loudi Ship (176) and Ganzi Ship conducted naval exercises in the Yellow Sea in 2026, enhancing their combat capabilities. Loudi Ship completed multi-task offensive and defensive operations, while Ganzi Ship engaged in real combat training, responding to detected submarine activity. The exercises included various training scenarios to improve crew readiness and emergency response capabilities.
- Loudi Ship completed multi-task offensive and defensive exercises.
- Ganzi Ship conducted real combat training in the Yellow Sea.
- Both ships are part of the 052D destroyer class with upgraded capabilities.
- Training included night operations and emergency response drills.
- The exercises aimed to enhance combat readiness and coordination among crew members.