Recently, there has been frequent good news in the foreign trade of domestic fighters, and the L-15, J-10C and even J-35 are very likely to win large orders. So some military fans asked, why are the fighters selling so well, but there is no movement in the foreign trade of domestic ships, especially the equipment like 052D, which has been tested and matured in practice, why no one cares?
Whether it is a fighter or a warship, it still depends on its classification. For example, 052D, it belongs to a large destroyer of 7000 tons. It is more difficult for ships of this class to trade in foreign trade, why do you say that? If you look at the number of foreign trade in the past 20 years, the answer is that there are only 4 ships, that is, the 2 Hyundai-class destroyers delivered in 2006, and the first batch of 2 Hyundai-class destroyers delivered in 2001 earlier. This is a large 8,600-ton destroyer, and it was very rare to be able to introduce four destroyers at that time.
In addition, the earlier large-tonnage destroyer may be the second-hand Kidd-class destroyer introduced from United States in Taiwan region of China, with a full load displacement of nearly 9,800 tons, barely enough for a 10,000-ton class. That is to say, in the past 30 years, there have only been 8 ships in total, and the buyers are all ourselves. This actually reflects several problems with the foreign trade of large destroyers.
For example, the price of the first batch of the Hyundai-class 956E introduced by us is 400 million US dollars, and the second batch of 956EM has increased to 7 US dollars because it has been replaced with SS-N-12 anti-aircraft missiles and improved helicopter platforms. That's 2.2 billion US dollars, this is 2.2 billion in 2000, and it's not too much to count 6 billion now, what is the concept of this price?
In the case of Algeria, which was previously rumored to be the most likely to introduce 052D, its military budget for 2024 is $21.6 billion, which is equivalent to a quarter of its defense budget. In addition, most of this budget is used to pay for personnel costs and equipment maintenance, and the part that can really be used to introduce equipment is discounted. In other words, whether you can afford it is the biggest problem.
Then there's the question of whether you need it or not. Large destroyers are the standard of the blue-water navy, but we all know that this is the era of maritime security in the West, and how can a medium-sized country have any sea power, let alone a blue-water navy. Even regional powers do not necessarily use the 7,000-ton drive of 052D. Even if you want to develop a blue-water navy, it depends on the face of the West.
And the countries that really have a certain amount of sea power must be more inclined to make their own products, for example, Korea Japan, even if the whole set is United States Aegis and standards, and the empty shells built by themselves must also develop their own shipbuilding industry.
Due to the above reasons, at present, the most popular in the world's foreign trade of ships is not large destroyers, but frigate-level ships. For example, the 054AP introduced by Pakistan Railway, and a number of "Island" class frigates have also been introduced from Turkey, all of which are of more than 2,000 tons. Even smaller patrol boats of 500-1000 tons have a good market for patrol boats. For example, Malaysia has introduced the Stiletto-class (LMS) littoral mission ship manufactured by Chinese military ships, and has also introduced two batches in one go.
Secondly, there are more submarines in the appearance of naval ships, such as the domestic S26 Kirin submarine introduced by Pakistan and Thailand. Viet Nam introduced 2 877EKM and 4 636MV, a total of 6 Kilo-class submarines. The Korea version of the 214 submarine that the Philippines plans to purchase. Although the price of submarines is not cheap, compared with surface ships, submarines are more cost-effective, and it is easy to play a better exchange ratio in battle.
From these aspects, the 052D is really not a problem of its own people, but the 052D is an excellent ship that has been in confrontation with the West many times and has actual combat experience. The improved version of the 052DL level is fully comparable to the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers of United States. The main problem is demand, and if you can control foreign trade, you can't use such a large tonnage if you need foreign trade.
Of course, there are no absolutes in the world, at least 052DE foreign trade is possible, and someone will take a fancy to it one day? After all, DF-5 can be introduced by major players in the Middle East, and it is not impossible for 052D to be introduced. Opportunities are always given to those who are prepared, we are not in a hurry, waiting for the price to sell, just see who can seize the opportunity and become the world's first 052D destroyer customer.