According to an image shared by Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China is preparing its ninth Type 055 destroyer for what would be the start of sea trials. Based on analysts’ observations, the naval force has completed outfitting the vessel and appears to be refueling it.
Although there is no official information on when the construction of this ninth guided-missile destroyer began, earlier images from mid-January 2024 showed the ship in an advanced stage of completion at the Jiangnan Shipyard, where many of China’s most advanced military vessels are built. This vessel is part of a second batch constructed after the initial eight ships of this class, all of which are already in service.
The first of these destroyers was launched in 2017, and China has maintained a steady pace of delivery and commissioning since then. By April 2023, all eight of the initial Type 055 destroyers were operational: Nanchang, Lhasa, Anshan, Wuxi, Dalian, Yan’an, Zunyi, and the most recent, Xianyang. Four of these ships are assigned to the Northern Fleet, while the other four serve in the Southern Fleet of the PLAN.
Type 055 destroyers are notable for their size, measuring approximately 180 meters in length and 22 meters in beam, allowing them to carry significant equipment and remain at sea for extended periods compared to the previous generation of destroyers. In terms of armament, they are equipped with 130mm cannons, Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) comprising 48 and 64 cells capable of carrying anti-ship cruise missiles, HHQ-9 anti-air missiles, and anti-submarine missiles.
For this ninth vessel, observers have noted the installation of windbreak covers on the ship’s exhaust stacks, similar to those on Type 055 units numbered 105 through 108. These windbreak covers likely reduce infrared signatures and enhance stealth capabilities. Over the coming months, the ship is expected to undergo dockside and mooring trials, as well as navigation and systems tests, including propulsion, auxiliary power, sensors, and weapon systems, ahead of its handover to the PLAN.
In terms of operations, Type 055 destroyers have participated in various drills across the region, including the Yellow Sea, Sea of Japan, Bering Sea, Philippine Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea. They have also joined PLAN carrier strike groups, providing air defense and escort for these capital ships.
Lastly, it is worth noting that in May of last year, China launched its tenth Type 055 destroyer, highlighting the accelerated pace of production of this class by China’s shipbuilding industry. The final number of destroyers in the second batch remains speculative, as the PLAN has not officially disclosed its construction targets.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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