A May Day surprise? If so, the PLAN definitely has a sense of humor.
Back on February 18th, 2025, when photos first surfaced showing a new 155 mm gun mount installed on a Type 909‑series test ship, it was clear that sea trials could begin at any moment. Fast‑forward to May 1st and sure enough, she’s out at sea.
The appearance of this system marks another step in the PLAN’s ongoing push to modernize its naval gun technology. While details remain limited, one unconfirmed report suggests the gun may be a 43‑caliber design. As always, until official information emerges, it’s best treated as an early datapoint rather than a firm specification.
Regardless, the fact that the system has moved from pier‑side installation to open‑water testing is noteworthy. The Type 909 test ships have long been the PLAN’s workhorses for evaluating new sensors, weapons, and combat systems, so seeing a major new gun system aboard one is a strong indicator that development is progressing.
More photos and details will no doubt surface as sea trials continues, but for now, the May Day timing adds a bit of extra flair to an already interesting milestone.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
PLAN's new 155mm naval gun is now mounted
photos from a PLAN test ship indicates that the new 155 mm naval gun system is approaching formal evaluation.
Sunday, August 17, 2025
A closer look: PLAN's 155mm naval gun
Recent imagery circulating on Chinese defense forums suggests the
People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is moving ahead with deployment of a
155 mm naval gun system. In concept and role similar that of US Navy’s
Advanced Gun System (AGS), optimized for delivering sustained, precision
fire in support of amphibious and coastal operations.
Looking at
the following photos below indicates the weapon is likely to be
integrated into an upcoming guided‑missile destroyer (DDG) class. Of
course, there's no surprise that PLAN intent to enhance long‑range naval
gunfire support (NGFS) capabilities, leveraging larger‑caliber
munitions for improved reach, payload flexibility, and shore bombardment
effectiveness to an island somewhere east of China.
The adoption of 155 mm naval artillery could:
- Expanded land‑attack portfolio alongside missile systems.
- Interoperability potential with advanced guided projectile tech.
- Doctrinal shift toward sustained fire support in joint operations.
Reassured, we will be seeing it onboard of a PLAN vessel soon
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
New PLAN Development Of The Day: 155mm Naval Guided Missile Gun
As of today, the heaviest naval combatant under the PLAN command is the Type055 DDG, sporting a H/PJ-38 130mm naval gun, the same H/PJ-38 also found on the type Type 052D. Reading the plaque, this new "155 mm Naval Guided Missile Gun" was freshly minted in March 2025 (this month) by the State Factory 447 weighting in 21800 Kg.
The next logical set of questions are:
1) Retrofiring the Type055 from 130mm to this new 155mm?
2) A new class of PLAN "heavy" is under consideration?
Both 1 and 2?
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
A cleaner picture of the the PLAN Test Ship 856 with a new AESA active phased array radar
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Photo Of The Day: PLAN Test Ship 856 with a new AESA active phased array radar
The Chinese Navy PLAN's second Type 909A "weapons integration" test ship was launched at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in March 2006.
Initially bearing a hull number (892, later changed to 856 in 2021) and bearing the name of Hua Luogeng (link) in honor of the renowned Chinese mathematician born in 1910). It was commissioned into the North Sea Fleet
In this PR photo released yesterday, Hua Luogeng 856 is showing off a new AESA active phased array radar is installed at the stern, continuing its role as a test ship. See previous blog entries blow
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Photo of the day: DH-10 LACM on test ship 892.
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