Quote:
Originally Posted by magicstix
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No, no tail. China got about two ships with VDS, none with towed arrays though they have tested them. I suppose that this represents not only a technological limitation, but also a recognition that their oceanographical knowledge, necessary to make the most of long range sonars, is still incomplete. Having said that, their antiair ability is broadly comparable to a JSMDF Murasame / Takanami class
after they have re-equipped with ESSM, and that is going slowly. Pre-ESSM they actually have a superiority in that area with their HQ-16s. Their C-803 missiles have inferior explosive power, but a small advantage in range, a substantial penetrative advantage (Mach 1.3-2 endphase) and also ECCM (b/c it has both radar and TI seeker) vs SSM-1B, so in a limited conflict if used well they can gain a certain escalation dominance vs JSMDF, to say nothing of the other puny navies.