Rumored as a 7,000t class fleet air-defense DDG armed with a Chinese Aegis system to be built at Dalian Shipyard, this new type of DDG (Type 052C or Type 052BK?) is actually being constructed at Jiangnan Shipyard, the same place where two 052B DDGs are still being fitted. This indicates that 052 series have adopted a modular design so that different variants with different primary missions can be built quickly with standardized modules. Even though 052C appears generally similar to 052B, the biggest difference lies with the 4 fixed phased array antennas embedded in the walls of the foreward superstructure on 4 sides. Among them, two antennas are covering the forward hemisphere while the other two are covering the rear hemisphere. The same arragement can be found onboard the US Arleigh Burke class DDG and Japanese Kongo class DDG. As the result, unlike 052B, two Type 730 CIWS are relocated to the raised platform in front of bridge and on top of the rear helicopter hanger. The installation of 4 phased array antennas indicates that 052C will certainly be the first Chinese DDG equipped with the new vertically launched HHQ-9 long-range SAM system, instead of the Russian RIF-M/S-300F system, which utilizes a single Tombstone phased array radar. The forward VLS station (6 revolver launchers? 6x6) is likely to be between the forward CIWS platform and the main gun, while the rear VLS station (2 revolver launchers? 2x6) likely to be forward and forward right of the helicopter hanger. Two quadruple semi-cylindical racks are located between the rear mast and the helicopter hanger which could support the new YJ-12 long-range supersonic SSM. The ship is also expected to have a new generation of Aegis-like combat data system. Currently two 052Cs are being constructed (170 & 171?) with the first ship being launched on April 29, 2003. All 4 PAR antennas were seen being covered by some kind of protecting shields while the intallation being carried out inside. The building of two 052Bs and two 052Cs in such a short time frame reflects PLAN's urgent need to upgrade its obsolete air-defense systems of its surface combat ships. There have been rumors suggesting that an even bigger design dubbed 051C (8,000t class) based on 051B is being planned to be built at Dalian Shipyard. This class, possibly featuring the RIF-M/S-300F SAM system acquired from Russia, will further enhance PLAN's air-defense capability of its surface combat ships alongside 052B and 052C.