Chinese Type 505 guided-missile destroyers can fire missiles on targets from a wide range. These ships can launch various anti-ship and surface–to-air missiles. These ships are equipped with a variety of hull-mounted sonars. These vessels are designed to be integrated with other Chinese naval forces in a battle group.
Type 055 vessels are approximately 180 meters long with a displacement exceeding 12,000 tons. The vessel is a large, powerful warship built for the People's Liberation Army Navy. This design is an important example of PLA's capability expansion and the country's shipbuilding venture.
Several Type 055 warships, as well as others, are operational. In January 2020, Nanchang became the first ship in this class. The Nanchang was not the only ship to be launched. Two additional ships were also launched, and the fifth- and sixth-ranked ships are still in active service.
Other Type 055 vessels are expected to enter service in the coming years, including Dalian, Lhasa, Yan'an, Wuxi, and Anshan. Li Jinwei, senior captain of the Nanchang, said that the vessel would take on a variety of missions, focusing on 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. Senior captain Li said that the exercise was to hone the skills of officers, and to make the ship more combat-ready. After the exercise, the vessel will participate in important missions this calendar year.
Type 055 ships feature a hull-mounted, variable depth sonar system. They are also equipped a 24-cell HQ-10, short-range air defence missile launcher. A 130mm naval gun is located at the bow. Two Changhe Z-18F helicopters can also be found on board. According to western researchers the Type 055 will likely have a displacement of approximately 13,000 tons. These estimates should be considered speculative, and not a definitive figure.
As of right now, the PLA Naval has eight Type 055s currently in active duty and five more under construction. 16 more Type 055s are being built. Each vessel is priced at more than six trillion yuan (US$890,000,000) and has an average speed of 30k. Type 055 is powered using a combination of gas turbo propulsion systems and gas turbine turbines. The Type 055 can produce 28MW.
The Type 055 also has a smoke stack that reduces 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 Type 055 Chinese navy destroyers have been able, in the past few year's, to conduct aggressive sub-marine hunting missions. Although they do not have as much range as the US Navy's Zumwalt-class stealth destroyers, the ships are reportedly capable of spotting and tracking smaller targets.