Makes one wonder indeed, but I think the Sovs make a valuable addition in the numbers game. Basically the first two were bought in I believe as a ‘stop gap’ deterrent in an effort to ward off American Carriers with their Sunburn supersonic AShMs. With more time on their hands, the Chinese have been able to tailor-build the second two Sovs, the 956EM, to better suit their requirements. I mean who knows how long it will be before we see a 3rd and 4th 052C class, and even more of the simpler 052B? In the meantime the Sovs, eventually all 4 of them, make up the numbers, and with their still potent standard and improved Sunburn anti-ship missiles, make fairly capable additions. And at the same time improving the numbers of heavily armed hulls that the PLAN can have ready to sail at any one time.

Yeah, it’s probably to add to the numbers. I have a distinct impression that the PLAN is very happy with their Sovremannies and felt it deserves a sequel. Likewise too, they seem happy with their Kilos, despite some earlier training mishaps.

The 052B seems to be like a transition model, even an experiment, like the 051B Luhai 167. Nice ships they are, I don’t think they’re going to build more of them.

I think 052C is the way to go for the PLAN’s future.

I have another theory is that Chinese shipyards currently has a massive backlog on commercial orders. A ship for the PLAN is one less export order, and therefore, money, unless military ships are exported to like say, Pakistan or Thailand. Russian shipyards, on the other hand, are desperate for work, and are more than eager to take up the slack.

The intramural scandals among the Russians jockeying for the 956EM contracts did give a very negative impression to the Chinese leadership, one which clearly threatens the prospect of future orders. The Russians have a lot riding on the 956EM as well as on the Kilo contracts, and need to regain a good impression with the Chinese leadership. But I think the prospect that the Chinese ordering another destroyer from the Russians now seem dim, given the fact that I think the 052C Red Aegis marks a major turning point for the PLAN and Chinese warship development. Future Chinese orders may probably be limited to more Kilo buys, as well as Tarantula missile boats, the latter now embellished with the improved Sunburn missiles.