Latest Footage! Eastern Theater Command's 055 Destroyer Conducts First Sea Trial with Intense Realistic Training

The Type 055 destroyer is China's independently developed fourth-generation destroyer, integrating advanced radar, universal vertical launch systems, and comprehensive radio frequency capabilities. It is hailed as the "sword-bearing escort" of aircraft carriers and serves as the core of distant sea task forces. Recently, the 9th Type 055 destroyer, the Dongguan (hull number 109), and the 10th destroyer, the Anqing (hull number 110), were commissioned simultaneously. They then set off to the relevant waters of the East China Sea to conduct their first real combat training at sea, with reporters from the central station following the entire process. First, let’s take a look at the Dongguan, the first Type 055 destroyer to conduct sea training.

Directly witnessing the Type 055 destroyer

Dongguan's first sea training

According to reporters from the central station, at a naval port in the Eastern Theater Command, the recently commissioned Type 055 destroyer Dongguan (hull number 109) is about to cast off and set sail for a certain area in the East China Sea to conduct its first real combat training after commissioning. Along with the Dongguan, the Anqing (hull number 110) was also commissioned.

From hull numbers 101 to 110, all of the same type and origin, the formation of ten thousand-ton destroyers not only serves as a lookout for the navy's deep blue journey but also represents a lineage of continuity and unity.

In this real combat training, the Dongguan must not only complete single-ship training tasks such as navigating narrow waterways and damage control but also cooperate with other ships in the formation to conduct joint operations such as maritime strikes, at-sea replenishment, and multi-domain coordinated strikes. As one of the first Type 055 destroyers commissioned in the Eastern Theater Command, the officers and soldiers are tasked with not only completing the established training objectives but also continuously exploring the operational applications of new equipment.

With the enhancement of weapon and equipment performance, the Dongguan's hardware and software are significantly different from previous ships. Lieutenant Guo Tian, who has experience in multiple departments, told reporters, the new ship is more "sharp-eyed and keen-eared."

Naval officer Guo Tian from the Dongguan: The ship can see further and hear clearer now; from detection to strike, it may only take a few seconds. With a wider range and more interference factors, it can be said that the complexity has increased exponentially. It's like going from catching fish in a small fish tank to searching for fish in a large pond. We not only need to eliminate various interference factors to find the desired fish but also catch it. This requires us to practice more, observe more, and accumulate experience to achieve quick identification and efficient handling.

A warship must not only sail fast but also navigate steadily. In this real combat training, there were many tasks and a strong sense of combat, and the crew faced challenges from strong winds, waves, and sleet. Whether navigating narrow waterways or conducting at-sea replenishment, helmsman Zhang Chen maintained his post throughout, maneuvering with ease.

Naval officer Zhang Chen from the Dongguan: To accelerate the generation of combat capability across the ship, we participated in the testing and trial sailing tasks from the very beginning. The first power trial was completed by us independently. In this process, we not only learned how to use the equipment but also understood why it is used this way. This laid a solid foundation for real combat training and equipment maintenance, giving us more confidence as we head to the battlefield.

During the five days and four nights of real combat training, the most discussed topic among the officers and soldiers was the responsibility of the first ship. They said, as the first Type 055 destroyer of the Eastern Theater Command, the Dongguan is not only a pioneer ship but also a seed ship, and we must accelerate the cultivation of core personnel to provide "blood transfusions" for other ships.

Naval officer Shen Kai from the Dongguan: In this maritime training, we adhered to a problem-oriented approach, creating complex environments and simulating real combat scenarios to thoroughly test the quality and effectiveness of the integration of trial training during the commissioning period, systematically verifying the combat effectiveness of the new equipment. It can be said that through training, all officers and soldiers have gained stronger confidence and assurance in operating the "ten thousand-ton destroyer" and achieving victory. In the next step, we will further optimize our deployment, consolidate our foundation, closely coordinate and cooperate, actively integrate into formation training, and continuously improve the comprehensive combat capability of the ship.

Anqing ship formation

Focusing on specialized training across multiple subjects

Along with the Dongguan, the Anqing (hull number 110) also commissioned and conducted its first real combat training at sea, forming a task force with various types of ships to carry out specialized training on more than ten subjects, honing the troops' ability to perform diverse tasks.

In the formation, both the Anqing and the Rikaze ships conducted their first real combat training at sea. During the voyage, in addition to completing real combat training tasks such as joint maritime search and rescue and at-sea replenishment, the ships also conducted special situation handling training such as damage control, testing the performance of the ship's equipment while accelerating the generation of combat capabilities among the officers and soldiers.

Naval officer Liu Sizheng from the Anqing: In this training, we focused on enhancing the effectiveness of new equipment, testing new tactics, and exploring new potentials. The motherland has entrusted us with the most advanced equipment; using it well is passing, but maximizing its effectiveness is excellence.

As the formation sailed and fought, upon arriving at the training sea area, the task force immediately began anti-submarine training. With "dark currents" stirring beneath the surface, anti-submarine helicopters quickly took off, establishing a sea-air integrated anti-submarine network with the ships in the formation to search for underwater targets.

The formation constantly changed its shape, with each ship closely coordinating. The Suzhou ship was the first to detect the submarine's movements, and the anti-submarine helicopter quickly occupied a favorable position with the ship formation, locking onto the target and simulating an attack.

During the training, whether it was tasks testing single-ship combat capabilities such as maritime strikes and air defense or the close coordination of the formation's alert movements, all ships operated within the same information command system, establishing a network and achieving information sharing, using data to verify combat effectiveness.

Naval officer Zhou Junji from the Suzhou: During the training, we constructed a real combat background in distant seas, deeply integrating anti-submarine combat elements such as ship and aircraft platforms and weapon systems, overcoming challenges such as limited search methods and slow target identification when ships and aircraft operate independently in anti-submarine roles, further testing the collaborative anti-submarine and joint combat capabilities of ships and aircraft.

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Recently, the Dongguan and Anqing ships conducted their first real combat training at sea in a certain area of the East China Sea.

△ The Dongguan and Anqing, Type 055 destroyers, conduct their first sea training

The "109" and "110" ten-thousand-ton destroyers have made their debut, marking the addition of two heavyweight new members to the People's Navy's Type 055 destroyer family.

Military expert Zhang Junsha stated:

The second batch of Type 055 guided missile destroyers uses new materials, further enhancing the ship's stealth capabilities;

The ships are equipped with new radars, significantly increasing the detection range for stealth fighters;

The ship's power systems have also been improved, and they may carry more advanced missiles, especially hypersonic missiles;

Space has been reserved for future equipment of new weapons.

△ Enhanced stealth capabilities and potential for carrying more advanced missiles! Military experts interpret the new features of the "ten-thousand-ton destroyer."