The first Type 055, Nanchang (101) guided-missile destroyer.
The first Type 055, Nanchang (101) guided-missile destroyer.
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China Type 055 destroyer Nanchang
Chinese Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Nanchang takes part in Joint Sea-2021, China and Russia's first joint naval patrol, in the Western Pacific on October 19, 2021.
Sun Zifa/China News Service via Getty Images

The Chinese navy has a new type of destroyer. It has been said that it is the world's most potent ship. The ships are in service. There are plans for the class to be expanded to 16 ships.

According to a 2020 report by the China Maritime Studies Institute at the US Naval War College, the type 055 is the second most powerful surface combatant after the US Navy's Zumwalt-class destroyers.

The vertical launching system is one of the most noticeable features. The Type 055 has a total cell count of 112, with each cell measuring 0.85 meters, according to TheDiplomat.

According to Naval Technology, the destroyers are fitted with electronic warfare countermeasure systems.

The first ship in the class was the Nanchang. The publication SpecialEurasia states that there are five more active service locations.

The South China Morning Post reported that the cost of each ship was $920 million. The cost to build the Zumwalt-class destroyers was $7 billion.

The Type 052D guided missile destroyer Guiyang participates in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy in the sea near Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on April 23, 2019.
The Type 052D guided missile destroyer Guiyang participates in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy in the sea near Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on April 23, 2019.
Mark Schiefelbein/POOL/AFP/Getty Images

There are two versions of the class. The flight deck of the latter is 13 feet longer than the one in the other.

According to the military news site Naval News, over twenty ships belong to the class. The first active ship in the class was the Kunming.

The ships are under several commands, including the South Sea, North Sea, and East Sea.

According to the US Naval Institute, the ships have long-range air-defense and anti-ship missiles.

Chinese destroyer DDG-169 Wuhan is pictured from French Frigate Le Floreal on January 7, 2009.
Chinese destroyer DDG-169 Wuhan is pictured from French Frigate Le Floreal on January 7, 2009.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images

According to a 2008 report, there are two ships in the type 052B class. The military website Global Security states that Guangzhou was commissioned in July 2004.

According to the military website, the development of the class represented major innovation in the Chinese navy with the adoption of features like "smooth and angle surfaces."

It was the first locally built class to demonstrate air defense capabilities. The news site said that it has anti-submarine features.

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Features insider asia China