China Launches eighth Type 055, 25th Type 052D Destroyers

The Chinese Navy launched its eighth Type 055 and 25th Type 052D destroyers at Dalian Shipyard, Liaoning Province, on Sunday morning.

On Friday, the service decommissioned two Type 051 destroyers- Zhanjiang and Zhuhai- marking the retirement of China's all first generation indigenous destroyers.

The new warships are touted to be on par with world’s top destroyers including America’s Arleigh Burke-class and Zumwalt-class, Chinese media reported.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) plans to have a fleet of 8 Type 055 destroyers, its most powerful naval vessel till date. Displacing more than 10,000 tons, the Type 055 is a 180-meter-long, 20-meter-wide guided missile destroyer with 112 vertical launch missile cells capable of launching missiles such as surface-to-air, anti-ship, land-attack and anti-submarine missiles, according to media reports. There are plans of the destroyer being deployed for anti-ballistic missile operations.

In addition, China reportedly wants to build over 30 Type 052D guided-missile destroyers. These ships come equipped with weapons and equipment including advanced active electronically scanned array radar systems and 64 vertical launch missile cells. They are capable of undertaking missions including escort and air defense.