The image is illustrative
The maneuvers in the Sea of Japan were the first such long-range exercises of the large destroyer Type 055 of the People's Liberation Army Navy of China, which is named "Lhasa" in honor of the capital of Tibet. According to the Global Times, the United States and Japan are constantly provoking China in the Taiwan Strait.
On Monday, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces discovered a flotilla of the PLA Navy consisting of three ships. The destroyers Lhasa and Chengdu and an auxiliary ship were sailing through the Tsushima Strait from southwest to northeast, towards the Sea of Japan. Previously, the ship "Lhasa" did not go on such long journeys.
According to Chinese media, since the beginning of 2022, the destroyer has conducted a number of exercises in the Yellow Sea, and then preparations began for more serious operations that should soon come. The ship has reached 100% combat readiness and is capable of performing long-range tasks as part of the core of the flotilla, said Beijing military expert Wei Dongxiu.
As Wei noted, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine defense are among the most important goals of the exercises. The destroyer should demonstrate China's ability to defend its interests in the far sea, as well as the ability to fight enemy aircraft and submarines.
Recall that the Type 055 destroyers were put into production in 2014. Their main task is to provide and strengthen the zonal anti–missile, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine defense of Chinese naval strike groups and aircraft carrier formations. The ships are well armed, have a take-off platform for taking off and landing helicopters.
The main armament of destroyers of this type is missiles placed in modular–cellular vertical launch units. There are 112 missiles on the ship in total. The ships also carry HQ-9B anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as 1 HHQ-10 short-range air defense system and 1 11-barrel Type 1130 short-range anti-aircraft artillery system. Also, four 18-pipe H/RJZ-726 installations are installed on the roof of the hangar for naval aviation helicopters for shooting dipole reflectors, heat traps and smoke screens. In addition, the destroyer is armed with a 130 mm automatic single-barrel artillery H/PJ-38,
There is a need to demonstrate the naval power of the PRC, and there is no doubt about it. For example, the United States sells weapons to Taiwan, continues to train Taiwanese military personnel. Japan, in turn, also states that the security of Taiwan is Tokyo's concern, it is unclear on what basis.
Global Times writes that the flotilla led by the destroyer "Lhasa" of the PLA Navy has demonstrated great combat capabilities. This should become a deterrent for Taiwan's separatists and foreign states trying to interfere in China's internal affairs. According to the publication, at a time when the United States and the West are focused on limiting China's development, and right-wing and militaristic sentiments have been reanimated in Japan, Beijing should be ready to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
