China’s fourth 13,000 tonnes Type 055 destroyer to enter service next month, sources say

[Shotgunner51]

Plz correct me if I am wrong on type 055 launched and numbers planned?

You are correct, 8 in 1st batch now inducted or under construction. Many observers talk about 2nd batch of another 8 units ordered by PLAN, but nothing official yet.

raw firepower

From a quantity POV, PLAN's dominant DDG class is 052D, not 055. Anyway PLAN doctrine isn't exactly like back in WWI when battleship fire canons on one another, perhaps even WWII scenes of jets chasing CVs will become less prevailing. Instead of viewing 055 as a battleship, perhaps it's more like a compact version of "sea-based X-band radar (SBX)" packed together with BMD/ASAT weapons and a 112MW powerplant all squeezed onto a 30+ knots speedboat, each 055 linked with and serves as a node of the grid.

In future war jets will still continue to chase ships, but more likely you will see all sorts of missiles flying, from tactical to strategic level. Perhaps that's why 055 is packed with so much electrical power, even more than a Queen Elizabeth class carrier, if it were to conduct early warning or ELINT or any EW that's needed in a missile war. 055 also likely to have the biggest silos ever seen on any surface combatants, 850 diam 9m deep, that can house some really big rockets which go very far and very high.

If 052D is a sea-based HQ-9 battalion, 055 is a sea-based HQ-19 brigade.

But you are right, I believe 055 as well as other assets shall massively increase in quantities, as long as defence spend controlled at 1.3% of GDP.

 

[imadul]

You are correct, 8 in 1st batch now inducted or under construction. Many observers talk about 2nd batch of another 8 units ordered by PLAN, but nothing official yet.

From a quantity POV, PLAN's dominant DDG class is 052D, not 055. Anyway PLAN doctrine isn't exactly like back in WWI when battleship fire canons on one another, perhaps even WWII scenes of jets chasing CVs will become less prevailing. Instead of viewing 055 as a battleship, perhaps it's more like a compact version of "sea-based X-band radar (SBX)" packed together with BMD/ASAT weapons and a 112MW powerplant all squeezed onto a 30+ knots speedboat, each 055 linked with and serves as a node of the grid.

In future war jets will still continue to chase ships, but more likely you will see all sorts of missiles flying, from tactical to strategic level. Perhaps that's why 055 is packed with so much electrical power, even more than a Queen Elizabeth class carrier, if it were to conduct early warning or ELINT or any EW that's needed in a missile war. 055 also likely to have the biggest silos ever seen on any surface combatants, 850 diam 9m deep, that can house some really big rockets which go very far and very high.

If 052D is a sea-based HQ-9 battalion, 055 is a sea-based HQ-19 brigade.

But you are right, I believe 055 as well as other assets shall massively increase in quantities, as long as defence spend controlled at 1.3% of GDP.

Well, yes, regarding war doctrine and naval warfare, not my area by any means of stretch. PLAN exercises with RF are very important as @beijingwalker has also alluded. PLAN and for that matter PLA and PLAF has not fought a war on grand scales like US and Europe and USSR had had in WWI/II, these exercises will give PLAN valuable maneuvering and tactics for any larger confrontation.
PLAN no of vessels surpass USN, and have massive numbers of 052, and 054.
China will also use it's own BEIDOU sat system, and network centric warfare capabilities.
I shall agree it shall be a technological war...
cyber and EM spectrum jamming shall play massive role. Let's hope US and China dont come to that.

 

[Shotgunner51]

not my area by any means of stretch

No worry bro, it's not my area either! We are here just sharing/exchanging views.

In early years like WWII yes it was about firepower, or industrial capacity, but it is becoming a lesser determinant in future war. China has enormous industrial capacity, say in steel it produces/consumes more than rest-of-the-world combined, conventional firepower is no longer an issue. Even when it comes to nuclear firepower, China has owned a massive fusion-tech (thermonuclear) stockpile since decades ago.

In my opinion, information is the primary determinant in future war, followed by capabilities in delivering firepower and intercepting adversary's. Take 055 for example, it's not about it weighs 100 ton more/less than its counterpart, not about number of silos, counting these are like kids playing a measuring contest, it's about what role does it play in PLAN's doctrine/game plan, how it helps China wins the coming war.

 

[IblinI]

How many destroyers did PLAN received this year?

 

[applesauce]

An immense ship which has no equivalent aside what is operated by the USN (Zumwalt class).
Well done to the PLAN.

Zumwalt is not an equivalent.

sure its weight is somewhat in the same range but the ships are very different, its like saying a 100k ton freighter is an equivalent to a 100k ton carrier.

Zumwalt have far fewer VLS despite being heavier, and it's because they put all their hopes on Railguns and future DEW.and what ended up happening is they couldn't get a rail gun working so they used a extended range - but still regular - gun system, one that uses ammo no other ship uses and no other vessels have those guns, all for a round that's only somewhat longer ranged than existing long range artillery shells

without those railguns, its just a super expensive yet worse(firepower-wise) version of the arleigh burke. ie overall a waste of money.

the 055 otoh is better than the 052D in every way except cost. a real improvement instead of a waste of money

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Only three Zumwalt class FFG shall be in service, rest 29 cancelled.
PLAN has launched 8 type 055 so more firepower in similar class stealth ships, though Zumwalt is superior in stealth.

@beijingwalker , @Shotgunner51
Plz correct me if I am wrong on type 055 launched and numbers planned?

USN has 21 older Toconderoga class destroyers and 68 Arleigh Burke class in service. In terms of raw firepower, PLAN has to field several dozen more Type 055.

Meh. 1 Type 055 easily sinks 20 Ticonderoga and 60 Arleigh Burke. In terms of combat capability 1 Type 055 can take on every American destroyer and cruiser.

 

[donkeykong]

Meh. 1 Type 055 easily sinks 20 Ticonderoga and 60 Arleigh Burke. In terms of combat capability 1 Type 055 can take on every American destroyer and cruiser.

Why u always put a target on our backs? We are humble people ok?

 

[IblinI]

Why u always put a target on our backs? We are humble people ok?

He is the MMME but asian version.

 

[Philip the Arab]

Meh. 1 Type 055 easily sinks 20 Ticonderoga and 60 Arleigh Burke. In terms of combat capability 1 Type 055 can take on every American destroyer and cruiser.

1 Type 055 beats Goku.

 

[redtom]

Does this 2025 prediction look likely?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1456793430734954498

I doubt the progress of the second batch 055 and 076.

The number of 055 has a lot to do with the number of aircraft carriers, building 055 too early is not conducive to technological updates. I don't think the 055,075 needs to be under the protection of aviation in the 075 formation. Leaving the 075 alone against an opponent with significant air power is the wrong strategy.

So I think the number of 055 should match the carrier and 076. The 076 was built to coincide with the testing of shipborne UAVs. 003 is required for shipborne UAVs.

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

I doubt the progress of the second batch 055 and 076.

The number of 055 has a lot to do with the number of aircraft carriers, building 055 too early is not conducive to technological updates. I don't think the 055,075 needs to be under the protection of aviation in the 075 formation. Leaving the 075 alone against an opponent with significant air power is the wrong strategy.

So I think the number of 055 should match the carrier and 076. The 076 was built to coincide with the testing of shipborne UAVs. 003 is required for shipborne UAVs.

China has to retire all 6 Type 052C by the 2030s. They need at least 16 Type 055 by then.

 

[Shotgunner51]

Zumwalt is not an equivalent.

sure its weight is somewhat in the same range but the ships are very different, its like saying a 100k ton freighter is an equivalent to a 100k ton carrier.

Zumwalt have far fewer VLS despite being heavier, and it's because they put all their hopes on Railguns and future DEW.and what ended up happening is they couldn't get a rail gun working so they used a extended range - but still regular - gun system, one that uses ammo no other ship uses and no other vessels have those guns, all for a round that's only somewhat longer ranged than existing long range artillery shells

without those railguns, its just a super expensive yet worse(firepower-wise) version of the arleigh burke. ie overall a waste of money.

the 055 otoh is better than the 052D in every way except cost. a real improvement instead of a waste of money

Agree. Like Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), I think Zumwalt is also more a product of the "Forward ... From the Sea" doctrine. Counting on its unique stealthy design to get close to shores, and strike with railgun.

055 on the other hand, is more like a maritime version of BMD.

 

[MH.Yang]

China has to retire all 6 Type 052C by the 2030s. They need at least 16 Type 055 by then.

Chinese warships are usually sold after 30+ years of service, retired or transformed into maritime police ships.
The first 055 was commissioned in 2019, and three have been commissioned in 2021 (an average of 1.0 ships per year).
The first 052D was commissioned in 2014 and 25 have been commissioned in 2021 (an average of 3.2 ships per year).
The first 054/A was commissioned in 2008, and 32 have been commissioned in 2021 (an average of 2.3 ships per year). According to the plan of 32 055/A, 96 052D/E/F and 72 054A/B, the current speed is normal. All kind warships will reach the predetermined number after their first warship has been in service for about 30 years.

There are about 22 Ticonderoga-class and 68 Burke class ships in active service in USA, and 100 Aegis ships are expected. The estimated number of China's 055/A and 052D/E/F is about 150% of that of U.S. warships of the same class. and with the estimated 24 052B/057 small Aegis ships, so there are expected to be 150 Aegis ships. This is also in line with general Zhang Zhaozhong's prediction that China will reach 200% of the US GDP and 150% of the strength of the US Navy.

 

[Shotgunner51]

China has to retire all 6 Type 052C by the 2030s. They need at least 16 Type 055 by then.

Again? We're not counting ships, counting tons, counting silos like 6th grader kids are we? Warships are for war, not for “elephant walk” photo sessions, and they no loner fight their "opponent" like two boxers in a ring, WWI days are over.

Far more than just 6 Type 052C, in fact PLAN has 17 "older" destroyers in service. But just like the "standard" 052D they are also assigned to different fleets (or task forces) according to warfare demand. PLAN has far more warfare types to conduct than we usually talk about. Going down the road their roles will be replaced by 052D gradually, not by 055 which plays an unprecedented role in the history of PLAN, a new warfare.

 

[FuturePAF]

China has to retire all 6 Type 052C by the 2030s. They need at least 16 Type 055 by then.

Or they could put them through a refit. They have been refitting much less capable ships into relatively modern vessels, so they can last another decade or two. Why wouldn’t they try to do the same to the Type 052C (VLS upgrade would be the most important as well as secure encrypted Comms, I assume), or at least deploy them to second tier but long range tasks like SLOC protection in the Indian Ocean. A fleet of Type 052C protecting a Ski-Jump carrier would still be a potent force against the Indian navy or any other navy trying to cut a Chinese SLOC.