Image source: topwar.ru
Type 055
The Chinese shipyard Dalian Shipbuilding launched a new "large destroyer" of the Type 055 project, the tenth in a row, and began construction of a new hull.
The displacement of the Type 055 at full load is about 13 thousand tons, length 180 meters, width 20 meters. The ship is equipped with 112 UVPU cells, which house the HQ-9 and YJ-18 AShM long-range air defense systems. In addition, official footage released in April 2022 suggests that this type is also capable of using a hypersonic missile defense system, designated as the YJ-21. American official reports over the years have repeatedly claimed that the Type 055 will also be able to launch an anti-ship ballistic missile (AShBM) in the near future.
Type 055 has now been transferred to the fleet as part of the first batch of eight hulls. Both Jiangnan and Dalian Shipbuilding have built four pennants each.
- it says in the publication Naval News.
Both shipyards seem to be working on the construction of a second batch, possibly also of 8 ships. The final figure for the destroyers of the second batch remains tentative, since the PLA does not officially comment on the estimated pace of construction.
Other shipyards, such as Hudong-Zhonghua in Shanghai and Huangpu-Wenchong in Guangzhou, are also likely capable of building ships of this project. However, they instead seem to be focused on the production of Type 054A and Type 054B frigates. HZ is also the main manufacturer of landing craft for PLAN.
Image source: topwar.ru
Type 052D
At the same time, mass construction of Type 052D destroyers is underway.
- it is noted in the publication.
Currently, there are 25 Type 052D ships in active operation. They have a displacement of 7,000 to 7,500 tons, depending on the modification. The destroyer is equipped with 64 UVPU cells, similar to the Type 055 design, combined with a large AFAR radar Type 346A.
Dalian has already launched five more Type 052D hulls from the most recent batch. The figures for Jiangnan are somewhat more difficult to establish. According to the images, the shipyard has launched at least two new 052DS at the moment and has a large number of modules in the assembly stage.
Combined with the ongoing construction of frigates and their adaptations for the Coast Guard at both Hudong-Zhonghua and Huangpu-Wenchong, the current construction demonstrates the continuous and steady production of new warships for PLAN by all four major Chinese shipyards.
