China's Type 055 Destroyer Program Milestone: Ninth Ship Prepares for Testing.

According to information published by Horobeyo on January 12, 2025, the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) fleet of advanced Type 055 guided-missile destroyers is set to expand further, with the ninth ship in the series completing outfitting and entering the final stages of preparation for its maiden sea trials. Recent reports indicate that the vessel has already begun refueling.
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Chinese Type 055 destroyer 東莞 . (Picture source: @Jsport_. 三汽)

Changes to the ship's exterior design have been noted, reflecting potential refinements aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and survivability. The bridge windows, a critical component of the superstructure, now feature an increased overall surface area but are fewer in number. This design modification could indicate a shift toward improved situational awareness for the crew while simultaneously enhancing the ship’s radar cross-section management.

Additionally, the vessel’s exhaust stacks have been equipped with wind caps similar to those installed on earlier Type 055 units, specifically numbers 105 through 108. These wind caps likely serve to reduce infrared signatures and improve the ship's stealth capabilities.

Technical comparison

The Type 055 destroyer, also referred to as the Renhai-class cruiser, is a large multi-role surface combatant developed by China. It has a full-load displacement of approximately 12,000 to 13,000 tons and measures about 180 meters in length. For comparison, the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers have a displacement of around 9,800 tons with a length of 154 meters, while South Korea's Sejong the Great-class destroyers are slightly larger, displacing approximately 11,000 tons and measuring 165 meters in length.

The Type 055 is outfitted with 112 vertical launch system (VLS) cells capable of deploying a range of munitions, including surface-to-air, anti-ship, and land-attack missiles. The Arleigh Burke-class Flight III has 96 VLS cells, a reduction compared to the Type 055. In contrast, the Sejong the Great-class has 128 VLS cells, providing the highest missile capacity among these ships.

Radar and sensor systems differ across these platforms. The Type 055 employs the Type 346B radar, a multifunctional phased-array system designed for various mission profiles. The Arleigh Burke-class Flight III is equipped with the AN/SPY-6 radar, which features improved sensitivity and detection range compared to earlier variants. The Sejong the Great-class uses the Aegis Combat System integrated with the AN/SPY-1D(V) radar, optimized for multi-target tracking and engagement.

Propulsion systems in all three designs are comparable, with the Type 055 and Sejong the Great-class both employing combined gas and gas (COGAG) systems to achieve speeds of approximately 30 knots. The Arleigh Burke-class also reaches similar speeds, powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines.

Functionally, the Type 055 is designed for air defense, surface warfare, and anti-submarine roles and often operates as an escort for China's carrier strike groups. The Arleigh Burke-class Flight III serves as a versatile destroyer capable of performing anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare missions, frequently as part of carrier strike groups. The Sejong the Great-class emphasizes air defense and anti-submarine warfare, with a demonstrated capability in ballistic missile tracking.

These ships illustrate differing design philosophies and operational requirements. The Type 055 prioritizes flexibility and capacity, the Arleigh Burke-class balances advanced technology and multi-mission capability, and the Sejong the Great-class emphasizes firepower and air defense within its region of operation.