(Beijing) China has launched a new class of domestically-built
destroyer, the latest addition to the country’s rapidly expanding navy. The
10,000-ton warship was launched in Shanghai, making it the first of the
People’s Liberation Army Navy’s “new generation” destroyers, equivalent to the
U.S Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
The Type 055 destroyer is a class of guided missile destroyers designed for air defence, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, however its main task will be to escort the growing fleet of Chinese Aircraft carriers which are set to come on line over the next few years. fitted out with 128 vertical launch missiles tubes it will be able to respond with overwhelming fire-power instantly. The Chinese are currently stating that for the price of one US Zumwalt stealth destroyer , they can build 13 Type 55s.
However, whilst the media will compare the Type 55s with US ships their nearest comparables can be found next door in either Korea (Sejong the Great-class destroyer) or Japan (Atago-class destroyer)
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Sejong the Great-class destroyer
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Atago-class destroyer
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