# Type 346 radar

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The **Type 346 radar** ([NATO](/source/NATO)/[OSD](/source/Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense): **Dragon Eye**) is a naval [C](/source/C_band_(IEEE))/[S band](/source/S_band)[2] [active electronically scanned array](/source/Active_electronically_scanned_array) (AESA) [radar](/source/Radar) developed in the [People's Republic of China](/source/People's_Republic_of_China) by the [Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology](/source/Nanjing_Research_Institute_of_Electronics_Technology). It has been an integral component of Chinese naval air defense systems since entering service in 2004[3] with the [Type 052C destroyer](/source/Type_052C_destroyer),[4] the first Chinese warships with area air defence capability.[5]

## Development

The Type 346 was developed by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology;[6] it became part of [China Electronics Technology Group Corporation](/source/China_Electronics_Technology_Group_Corporation) Glarun Group[7] which continues to manufacture the radar.[2] Further development may have been assisted by the examination of foreign technology; the [Type 051C destroyers](/source/Type_051C_destroyer) used [30N6EI Tombstone phased-array Flap Lid antennae](/source/S-300_missile_system#Radar) from [Russia](/source/Russia), and in 2004 a prototype C band active phased-array radar and its design package were purchased from the Kvant Design Bureau of [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine).[6] It is manufactured by [China Electronics Technology Group Corporation](/source/China_Electronics_Technology_Group_Corporation).[2]

## Variants

**Type 346**- Initial version. The arrays are covered by convex panels. It entered service with the [Type 052C destroyer](/source/Type_052C_destroyer).[4]
**Type 346A**- This version has a reported range of 400 km.[1] and is covered by flat panels because of an improved liquid-cooling system.[2] It entered service with the [Type 052D destroyer](/source/Type_052D_destroyer).[4]
**Type 346B**- This version uses panels that are 40% larger than the Type 346A for a reported 60% increase in range. It entered service with the [Type 055 destroyer](/source/Type_055_destroyer).[1]

## See also

- [List of radars § China](/source/List_of_radars#China)

## References

### Citations

1. Caldwell, Freda & Goldstein 2020, p. 8.

1. Hundman 2025, p. 84.

1. Kirchberger 2015, p. 196.

1. Kirchberger 2022, p. 86.

1. Cole, Bernard D. (July 2017). ["What Do China's Surface Fleet Developments Suggest about Its Maritime Strategy?"](https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-red-books/13/). *CSMI Red Book*. **14**: 23. [United States Naval War College](/source/Naval_War_College). ISBN 978-1-935352-45-7. Retrieved 22 May 2019.

1. Kirchberger 2022, pp. 85–86.

1. Hundman 2025, p. 123.

### Sources

- Caldwell, Daniel; Freda, Joseph; Goldstein, Lyle J. (February 2020). [*China's Dreadnought? The PLA Navy's Type 055 Cruiser and Its Implications for the Future Maritime Security Environment*](https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-maritime-reports/5/). Vol. 5. CMSI China Maritime Reports. [United States Naval War College](/source/Naval_War_College). Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- Hundman, Eric (March 2025). ["China's Air Defense Radar Industrial Base"](https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/CASI/Display/Article/4113558/chinas-air-defense-radar-industrial-base/). *China Aerospace Studies Institute*. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- Kirchberger, Sarah (2015). *Assessing China's Naval Power: Technological Innovation, Economic Constraints, and Strategic Implications*. Global Power Shift. Springer. ISBN 978-3-662-47127-2.
- Kirchberger, Sarah (2022). ["Russian-Chinese Military-Technological Cooperation and the Ukrainian Factor"](https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-97012-3). *Russia-China Relations: Emerging Alliance or Eternal Rivals?*. Global Power Shift. Kirchberger, Sarah; Sinjen, Svenja; Wörmer, Nils (eds.). Springer. p. 75-100. ISBN 978-3-030-97012-3.

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