Chinese Type 505 guided-missile destroyers can fire missiles on targets from a wide range. These ships can launch a wide range of surface-to air, surface-to submarine and anti-ship missiles. A range of hull mounted sonars are available to equip the vessels. They can integrate with other Chinese navy forces to form a battle team.
A Type 055 vessel has a hull length of about 180 meters, with a displacement of over 12,000 tons. The vessel is a large and powerful warship that is being built for the People's Liberation Army Navy. It is a striking example of the PLA’s capability expansion as well the country’s shipbuilding endeavor.
Several Type 055 Warships are currently operational. Others are in various stages of construction. The Nanchang, the first ship in the class was commissioned in January 2020. Two additional ships have been launched since the Nanchang and the fifth as well as sixth ships are active.
In the future, Type 055 vessels from other countries will enter service. These include Anshan, Yan'an (Wuxi), Yan'an, Yan'an, Yan'an, Wuxi and Dalian. Li Jinwei was the Nanchang's senior Captain. He said that the vessel would perform a variety of missions, with an emphasis in regional security. He stated that the vessel would be ready to respond to any emergency situations.
During recent maritime drills China’s Type 055 destroyer has been undergoing evaluations. Li, the senior captain, explained that the exercise was meant to sharpen officers' skills and make it more combat-ready. The vessel will continue on to other important missions in the coming year.
Type 055 ships feature a hull-mounted, variable depth sonar system. They are also equipped with a 24-cell HQ-10 short-range air defense missile launcher, as well as H/PJ-11 30mm close-in weapon systems. At the bow of the vessel, there is a 130mm naval gun. Two Changhe Z-18F helicopters are also found aboard. According to western researchers, Type 055 could have a displacement around 13,000 tonnes. These estimates should be considered speculative, and not a definitive figure.
The PLA Navy currently has eight Type 055s, with five more in construction. There are plans to build 16 more. Each vessel has a maximum speed of 30k and costs more than six million yuan (US$890million). Type 055 is powered using a combination of gas turbo propulsion systems and gas turbine turbines. The Type 055 can produce 28MW.
Another unique feature of the Type 055 is the smoke stack, which reduces the radar cross-section. This design allows ship to retain stealthy characteristics while suppressing radar/infrared signals. Although it has obvious stealth, it will likely carry multiple types of surface to air and land attack cruise missiles.
The Chinese navy's Type 055 destroyers have also been able to conduct aggressive submarine-hunting missions in the past few years. They are reported to be capable, despite not having the same range as US Navy's Zumwalt class stealth destroyers. However, the ships can spot and track smaller targets.