China officially displays first new Type 055 large destroyer during 70th Anniversary review

The Nanchang (101) leading a flotilla of PLAN ships as part of the naval review commemorating the 70th anniversary of the PLAN. Photo c/o Jane's.

China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) showcased their first new Type 055 Renhai-class large guided missile destroyer / cruiser, as part of a fleet review held to commemorate the PLAN's 70th founding anniversary.

The ship, called Nanchang (101), is the first ship of its class, is still undergoing sea trials and is expected to become the largest surface combatant of the PLAN that is not an aircraft carrier, and its premier escort ship class for future carrier battle groups. The class is considered as a guided missile cruiser by the US Department of Defense.

The Type 055 Renhai-class, including the Nanchang, are around 180 meters long, around 20 meters wide, a draft of around 6.6 meters, and has an estimated displacement of around 13,000 tons - heavier than the US Navy's Ticonderoga-class cruisers.

The ship is powered by four (4) QC-280 gas turbine engines in Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration, allowing the ship to a sprint to a maximum speed of 30 knots. 

The Type 055 will be armed with a total of 112 vertical launching systems (VLS) allowing the use of a variety of medium and long-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles,

The Type 055’s main armament consists of two cell blocks consisting of a total of 112 vertical launch systems (VLS) capable of firing medium- to long-range surface-to-air [SAM] like the HHQ-9, anti-ship cruise missiles like the YJ-18 missile, and land-attack cruise missiles like the CJ-10 missile. It is also armed with HQ-10 missile launcher and H/PJ-14 close-in weapon system (CIWS) for self-defense, and an H/PJ-38 130mm naval gun.

The ship was also designed to allow a future anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems, as well as lasers and railguns.

The PLAN confirmed that they ordered six (6) ships being constructed by Jiangnan Shipyard Co. Ltd. and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company, with ship number 2 already being prepared for sea trials.


[1] Jane's Defence Weekly
[2] Navy Recognition
[3] The Diplomat