The project began in the late 1960s when it was becoming obvious to the Soviet Navy that naval guns still had an important role particularly in support of amphibious landings, but existing gun cruisers and destroyers were showing their age.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force (PLAN) had two modified Sovremenny-class destroyers delivered in December 1999 and November 2000.

[1][2] Hangzhou was laid down on 4 November 1988 and launched on 27 May 1994 by Severnaya Verf in Saint Petersburg.

As of 2016, Hangzhou was reported to be undergoing refit with its original components replaced with domestic systems.

[3][4] On 29 March 2021, Taizhou, Hangzhou and Suzhou of the East Sea Fleet conducted a live firing exercise.