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Japan said that China maneuvered its largest destroyer into the Sea of Japan on March 18 and 19. Although the ship didn’t enter Japanese territorial waters, it is the first time that Beijing has made its presence known in the Sea of Japan.Japan’s defense ministry said on March 19 that it was monitoring the vessel’s route to analyze the purpose of the cruise.Then, on March 21, the Philippines demanded that around 220 Chinese fishing boats, which have moored for two weeks, leave a South China Sea reef claimed by Manila.Chinese Destroyer Spotted in Waters Near Japan “We call on the...

Accompanied by marching music and tearing waves, a huge warship with the hull number 101 sailed into view out of heavy fog during the maritime parade on April 23 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province to celebrate the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's 70th anniversary. Those not lucky enough to experience this at the scene and were eagerly waiting to see it on television were disappointed when state broadcaster China Central Television was unable to provide a live feed of the parade, possibly due to the bad weather and sea conditions. But that did not stop them from enjoying...

Based on ship spotters images from China, it appears that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) first Type 055 Destroyer 'Nanchang' (南昌, with hull number 101), sailed out for its first sea trials on 24 August, 2018. The vessel (first of the Renhai-class cruiser, its NATO designation and classification) was built at Jiangnan Changxing Shipbuilding and Heavy Industry Corporation (Jiangnan-Changxing) in Shanghai (a member of China State Shipbuilding Corporation CSSC). PLAN's first Type 055 Destroyer 'Nanchang' (南昌, with hull number 101), sailed out for its first sea trials on 24 August, 2018 The Type 055 destroyers are...

China launched today two Type 055 guided-missile destroyers at a Shipyard in Dalian, Liaoning province. The two 13,000 tons vessel, which were launched simultaneously, will join the rapidly growing People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) fleet. China launched simultaneously two Type 055 guided-missile destroyers at a Shipyard in Dalian on July, 3, 2018. The Type 055 is the latest and most potent surface combatant designed and produced in China. It can fulfill a vast array of missions such as area air defence, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), electronic warfare (EW), land attack, long-range patrol... In addition to...

Approximately one year ago in June 2017, the lead Type 055 large destroyer was launched from Jiangnan shipyard. With the recent launch of the second Type 055 from Jiangnan and two subsequent Type 055s at Dalian shipyard likely to launch in coming months, it is an instructive time for a proper analysis into this class of warship. This piece will examine the general characteristics of the Type 055 destroyer informed by the latest open source information and imagery available, and address some mistakes and incorrect interpretations of the ship that has been reported over the last year. Size One of...

China has accelerated the deployment of its ace guided-missile destroyers, known as Type 055, as four of the latest-generation warships, capable of attacking targets onshore, offshore and underwater, are being built at the nation’s two largest shipyards in Shanghai and Dalian. The latter is also the home port of the first Chinese-built aircraft carrier. When the first ship of the 055 class was launched at the end of June in Shanghai, China’s official media offered scant details of the brand-new destroyer, though some observers reckoned that it might be the largest warship in the Asia-Pacific region except for aircraft carriers....

Chinese state television has broadcast the first clear, overhead view of the Chinese navy’s first Type 055 cruiser. The image confirms what foreign analysts have expected since the new cruiser began taking shape in 2014. The Type 055 carries no fewer than 122 missiles in vertical cells — any mix of anti-air, anti-ship and land-attack models. That matches the weapons-loadout of the U.S. Navy’s Ticonderoga-class cruisers … and exceeds the armament of every other surface warship in the Pacific region. The new cruiser could enter service as early as 2018. The Type 055 — which is an estimate 590 feet...

Translation from Eastpendulum's article Seven and a half years after the start of the project, the first Chinese destroyer displacing more than 12,000 tons at full load was launched, yesterday June 28th at the Jiangnan Changxing Shipyard in Shanghai. This new Type 055 class of first line surface combattant is in the process of becoming the new flagship of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy). Until we see this new class of Chinese destroyer sailing the seven seas, let us review what we already know about it. Type 055 1The first Type 055 during the launch ceremony...

China launched what it calls the most advanced and largest warship in Asia on Wednesday, billing it as a major step forward in the modernisation of its navy, the official military newspaper said. The first of the new type 055 guided-missile destroyers, which has a displacement of more than 10,000 tons and was built at the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai, is equipped with air defence, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons, the PLA Daily reported. The launch of the ship marks an important step towards China’s dream of having a strong and modern naval force, a member of the Central Military...

Recent pictures from China confirm that the first hull of the next generation Type 055 Guided-Missile Destroyer (DDG) for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) entered final assembly stage at the Jiangnan Changxing naval shipyard located near Shanghai. The information is reported from our colleagues from East Pendulum. Through photos taken by Shanghai-based spotters, we can witness the chronological assembly of the first Chinese destroyer displacing over 10,000 t: October 2015: Type 055's First construction block emerges May 2016: Spotter's picture showing an entire section: Large aft module showing an helicopter pad (left) and hangar (right) at...

A picture has just emerged on the Chinese internet showing that construction of the first Type 055 destroyer may have started. The Type 055 guided missile destroyer is the next generation destroyer designed for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy). According to Chinese sources, the picture was taken last week at the Changxing Jiangnan shipyard (member of CSSC - China State Shipbuilding Corporation) near Shanghai. It shows a sign with the mention "Commencement Ceremony for the Construction of 055 destroyer number 1". Such ceremonies are common practice in Chinese naval shipyards and should the picture be authentic,...