The Type 052C introduced both fixed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and vertically launched surface-to-air missiles into PLAN service,[6] making it the first Chinese warship with area air defence capability.

[9] The Type 052C carries 48 HHQ-9 naval surface-to-air missiles (SAM),[2] each with a slant range of 110 nautical miles (200 km; 130 mi).

[2] Close-in defence is provided by two seven-barrel 30 mm (1.2 in) Type 730 CIWS, one mounted forward of the bridge and one atop the hangar.

[2] Two triple 324 mm (13 in) torpedo tubes are carried; these are copies or derivatives of the Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei B515/ILAS-3.

[2] The combination of AESA radar and VLS SAMs produces a marked increase in anti-aircraft firepower over previous Chinese warships.

The naval variant of the Z-9, the Z-9C, is equipped with the KLC-1 search radar, dipping sonar, and is typically armed with a single, lightweight torpedo.