At a time when the United States Navy is struggling to determine the future of its Navy, China has been quietly building up its naval forces. The People’s Liberation Army Navy has risen to be the second largest navy in the world by tonnage. It’s not just quantity that China is after, but the also the quality of its ships. Case in point is China’s newest warship to be launched, the Type 55 destroyer. With this warship, China has produced a destroyer larger, more powerful, and far more capable than its predecessors.
The Type 55 Destroyer : What is It?
Observers first became aware of the Type 55 when photos surfaced of a full scale mockup of the ship’s superstructure at a Chinese Navy testing facility in 2014. The large size of the superstructure led observers to conclude that China was developing a large surface combatant. Due to the larger size of the ship, the United States classified the ship as a cruiser.
It was not until 2015, that China began publicly discussing the details of the Type 55. They were quick to downplay the size of the Type 55. China claimed the ship was a destroyer and at 10,000 tons, was within 2000 tons of most foreign destroyers.
The launch of China’s first Type 55 destroyer. Source: CCTV News
The first Type 55 destroyer was launched on June 28, 2017 at the state-owned Jiangnan shipyard. A second was launched in April of 2018. Currently, six ships are under construction. It is thought that China has planned for eight of these vessels to be constructed.
The Type 55 destroyer is to be the successor of the Type 52D class destroyers. However, with Type 52D production still going strong, it appears that the Type 55 is not intended to replace the Type 52D, but to supplement them in service.
Type 55 Destroyer Specifications
Length – 590′
Beam – 66′
Draft – 22′
Displacement – 10,000 to 13,000 tons
Speed – 32+ Knots
Compliment – 310
Range – 7000 to 8000 nmi
Armament:
1x 130mm Dual-Purpose Naval Gun
1x Type 1130 30mm CIWS
1x FL3000N short range SAM launcher
112 x Vertical Launch Cells
*Additional remote controlled guns and torpedo tubes will likely be carried as well.*
2x Helicopters for Anti-Submarine Warfare
Source: NextBigFuture.com
Compared to the Type 52D, the Type 55 is larger and more capable. Its larger size will enable it to carry more weaponry as well as more powerful electronics. It carries almost twice the number of missiles of the Type 52D. It also carries four large AESA radars that are more powerful than previous designs. It is reported that the Type 55 can detect targets, including stealth aircraft, at ranges up to 375 miles (600 km). During the past couple of years, China has attempted to create a system similar to the AEGIS system used by the United States and other nations. The Type 55 is expected to carry this “Chinese AEGIS” system.
With these powerful weapons and sensors, the Type 55 is well equipped to handle a variety of roles. The Type 55 will be able to handle anti-air defense, land attack, anti-submarine warfare, and possibly even ballistic missile defense roles.
Type 55 Compared to Foreign Designs
Based on the operational theater and role, the closest competitors to the Type 55 are the Japanese Atago class and the South Korean Sejong the Great class destroyers (Both derived from the US Arleigh Burke class destroyer, but built to improved designs). Currently, two Atago class ships are in service with two more under construction. South Korea currently has three Sejong the Great class destroyers with a further three under construction.
The Sejong the Great class destroyer of the South Korean Navy is the closest to the Type 55 in size and armament.
The Atago and Sejong classes, at about 10,000 and 11,000 tons respectively, are lighter than the Type 55. With 112 missile cells, the Type 55 can carry more missiles than the Atago (96 cells), but less than the 128 missile capacity of the Sejong the Great class. All three ships feature powerful radar systems. The Japanese and South Korean destroyers feature the AEGIS combat system, allowing them to track multiple targets. If equipped with the Chinese AEGIS system, the Type 55 might fulfill a similar role.
The United States Ticonderoga class cruiser is very similar in concept and design to the Type 55. Just as the Type 55 is designed to fulfill roles the Type 52D is not suited for, the Ticonderoga also supplements the Arleigh Burke destroyers. The Ticonderoga is a much older ship and at 9600 tons is notably lighter than the Type 55. However, the US cruiser carries slightly more weaponry with 122 missile cells and two 127mm dual-purpose guns.
A Ticonderoga class cruiser of the United States Navy. The Type 55 destroyer will likely fulfill a similar role.
Is it a Destroyer?
The Type 55 is without a doubt a large and powerful warship. Based on its role, the Type 55 shares many of the same traits that the United States Navy uses to classify the Ticonderoga class as a cruiser. With that in mind, it makes sense that the United States could classify the ship as a cruiser. This is especially true when one considers the leap in capability from the previous Type 52D destroyer.
On the other hand, the use of the cruiser classification has declined greatly over the years. The line that separates the modern destroyer and cruiser is all but gone. Destroyers have grown considerably in size and some destroyers such as the Sejong the Great class are near identical to the Type 55. Based on that, China has every right to use the destroyer classification.
One wonders if China has chosen the destroyer designation as a political maneuver, downplaying the capabilities of a potent warship at a time when the Pacific is seeing rising tensions.
Type 55 : Final Thoughts
The Type 55 is a powerful ship and an excellent display of China’s naval technology. However, the most important thing is not what the Type 55 is, but what it represents. The Type 55 is but a small part of a rapidly evolving Chinese Navy.
Based on personal observation, I would believe that the Type 55 is to fulfill a similar role to the Ticonderoga class cruiser in service. It is likely that each carrier battlegroup will feature a Type 55 destroyer. Its more powerful electronics would allow it to coordinate anti-air defenses. Its larger size might also enable it to host an air warfare officer or serve as a flagship for smaller fleets.
Regardless of its use, the China is committed to operating a blue water navy. The Type 55 will certainly help to realize that goal.
Further Links
What is the United States doing to beef up its navy? Looking at several new warships to fill a new class of guided missile frigates.
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