The vessel is outfitted with a bevy of sensors, communications and countermeasures equipment. Most are centralized along the main mast while some facilities are held along the second superstructure. The Harbin features a ZKJ-4B (Thomson-CF) processing system with HN-900 data link and SNTI-240 SATCOM (SATellite COMmunications) suites. There are 2 x Type 630 series optronic directors fitted. Air-Search functionality was originally handled by a Type 518 series Hai Ying 3D system with low-altitude search handled by a Type 362 family installation (since updated in a 2011 refit detailed below). Various fire control radar systems manage the various onboard weapon systems. Electronic warfare is through a series of integrated jammers and decoy handlers.
As with any destroyer, the armament suite of the Harbin is what truly creates the identity of the ship in question. Modern-day destroyers must be able to field several capable weapons to fulfill its multirole existence. As built, the Harbin was given 4 x YJ-83 anti-ship missiles in quad-launchers (16 total missiles) suitable for countering the threat of enemy surface ships at range. The YJ-83 is a modern anti-ship missile debuted in 1989 and capable of near-Mach 1 speeds with an operational range of about 500 km. It is also recognized under its export designation of "C-803". There is an 8-cell bank of missile launchers containing the HQ-7 surface-to-air-missile (SAM) - a short-ranged air-defense system intended to counter the threat of incoming aerial threats such as aircraft or cruise missiles. Beyond its missiles, the Harbin is outfitted with a conventional deck gun as the 100mm Type H/PJ33A twin-barreled Dual-Purpose (DP) fitted along the forecastle. The deck gun can be used as a medium-to-short ranged counter to surface ships or for offshore bombardment of land-based targets within range. Enemy submarines must take note of the 2 x triple-tube Yu-7 series torpedo tubes fitted to the Harbin. Close-in defense was initially handled by 4 x 30mm Type H/PJ76A twin-barreled cannons and 2 x Type 75 series twelve-tube anti-submarine warfare rocket launchers (since replaced, see 2011 refit below).
The stern-based helicopter deck has access to the onboard hangar facilities and stowage for up to 2 x small- or medium-class helicopter types. Principally, the Chinese Navy makes use of the Harbin Z-9C for general transport/utility duties or the Soviet-era Russian-designed Kamov Ka-27 series. The latter is outfitted with specialized equipment for the anti-submarine / anti-ship role and navalized for the rigors of at-sea operations. The Ka-27 has proven a capable navy helicopter since its inception in 1982 with modernization programs extending its capabilities for the near-future. The Harbin Z-9C is nothing more than the Chinese local production version (under license) of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin ("Dolphin") series, another highly capable modern platform.
In 2011, the Luhai-class saw a notable refit program which advanced its armament and onboard processing/directing systems. The 37mm anti-aircraft guns were given up in favor of 2 x 30mm Type 730 (H/PJ12) series digitally-controlled, seven-barreled Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs) (fitted over the helicopter hangar). Likewise, the 12-tube ASW rocket launchers have been replaced by 2 x Type 87 six-tube versions instead. 2 x 122mm Type 726-4 series decoy launchers were added to either side of the bridge in the upgrade program. The Type 518 and Type 362 radars were upgraded to a Type 517M and Type 364 series respectively. The sister-ship, Qingdao, was upgraded in similar fashion during 2011.
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