"Ten 'Ten Thousand Ton Destroyers' Commissioned, China's Far-Sea Combat Capability Soars"

[Global Times Report, Reporter Guo Yuandan] Editor's Note: The WeChat public account "People's Navy" released the latest combat training scenes of the ninth Type 055 destroyer, Dongguan (109), and the tenth destroyer, Anqing (110), on March 25. This means that the Type 055 destroyer, referred to by military enthusiasts as the "10,000-ton destroyer," has officially entered the "ten-ship era" in terms of combat capability. Military experts interviewed by the Global Times stated that since the first ship, Nanchang (101), led the parade on April 23, 2019, to now having ten "10,000-ton destroyers" distributed across three major fleets, the Type 055 destroyer has not only achieved a quantitative leap but has also undergone a profound transformation in its combat capability generation model from "individual combat" to "networked operations and integrated joint operations."

"Dual Ships in the Frame": Filling a Key Gap in the East China Sea

Our 10,000-ton destroyers have recently achieved a dual leap in quantity and combat capability. On March 8, CCTV's "News Broadcast" publicly announced the latest addition of two 10,000-ton destroyers: Dongguan (109) and Anqing (110). On March 13, the Eastern Theater Command Navy announced that the Dongguan and Anqing had formed a ship formation to conduct combat training. A week later, images of the two ships training "in the same frame" were also publicly reported.

Long-term tracking of the 10,000-ton destroyer trend by Global Times reporters found that, unlike the earlier staggered commissioning of single ships like Nanchang and Lhasa, the Eastern Theater Command Navy publicly accepted two Type 055 destroyers at once and synchronously engaged in multi-subject training in a "dual ship in the same frame" mode. This change reflects the vivid embodiment of the Chinese Navy's large-scale equipment deployment, systematic training, and rapid formation of combat capabilities.

Official reports indicate that as a milestone equipment in the development history of the People's Navy destroyers, the Type 055 destroyer is China's independently developed fourth-generation missile destroyer. This type of ship has a full-load displacement of over 12,000 tons, equipped with a universal vertical launch system that can launch multiple types of munitions, possessing strong air defense, anti-missile, anti-ship, anti-submarine, land attack, and comprehensive command capabilities. It is undoubtedly the "armed escort" of aircraft carrier formations and the core of long-range missions, representing the advanced level of large destroyers in the world today.

Regarding the Eastern Theater Command Navy's "package" acceptance of the two ships, 109 and 110, and their immediate engagement in "dual ship in the same frame" training, military experts believe this sends a clear signal: the combat capability generation of the Type 055 destroyer has crossed the "single ship adaptation" stage and entered the fast lane of "combat capability formation upon commissioning."

Military expert Zhang Junsha noted that related reports mentioned that the Anqing and Dongguan conducted live-fire training around air defense, anti-missile, and close-range fire counterattack subjects. "From the details in the reports, it can be seen that the two ships formed a formation to conduct air defense and anti-missile exercises, successfully implementing cover and air defense operations, marking the preliminary formation of collaborative capabilities in formation movement and organizational coordination."

Another detail mentioned in the reports is that the two ships "traveled through multiple sea areas over several days and nights," which also sends a positive signal. Zhang Junsha explained that this indicates that the two Type 055 destroyers have initially developed the capability for cross-sea area, long-duration, and long-distance operations, effectively honing the troops' long-range mobility and cross-area operational capabilities.

Zhang Junsha stated, "In the future, the two Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers will continue to deepen formation collaborative operations and long-range offensive and defensive exercises, continuously enhancing their comprehensive operational capabilities at sea and rapidly forming and consolidating combat effectiveness in real combat."

At the same time, the commissioning of the Dongguan and Anqing has filled the gap of the East Sea Fleet lacking 10,000-ton destroyers. The East Sea Fleet directly faces the Taiwan Strait and bears the critical mission of deterring and striking "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. Zhang Junsha stated, "The simultaneous commissioning of the two Type 055 destroyers means that a core combat unit with strong regional air defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and land strike capabilities has been rapidly established in the East China Sea. The deployment of Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers in the East Sea Fleet will greatly enhance the fleet's deterrence and combat capabilities against 'Taiwan independence' forces, providing a more solid power support for resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity."

On March 26, when asked about the question of whether "the two latest Type 055 destroyers will significantly enhance the Chinese Navy's deterrence and strike capabilities against 'Taiwan independence' forces," Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin responded, "Achieving complete reunification of the motherland is an inevitable trend, a matter of righteousness, and the will of the people. We will continue to strengthen training and preparation for war, and with stronger capabilities and richer means, we will resolutely strike against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and oppose external interference. If 'Taiwan independence' armed forces want to resist stubbornly, they will only face a dead end."

Capability Leap: From "Single Ship Formation" to "System Victory"

Experts recall that since the commissioning of the first Type 055 destroyer, Nanchang, in early 2020, ten 10,000-ton destroyers have been successively commissioned into the three major fleets within six years, averaging nearly two ships commissioned each year. Behind this is the continuous enhancement of China's comprehensive national strength and the explosive growth of the entire shipbuilding industry chain.

According to Zhang Junsha, the Northern Theater Command Navy is the first unit to serve the 10,000-ton destroyers, currently possessing four ships: Nanchang (101), Lhasa (102), Anshan (103), and Wuxi (104). These four Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers are the core for early verification and formation of initial combat capabilities. The Southern Theater Command Navy also has four Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers, including Dalian (105), Yan'an (106), Zunyi (107), and Xianyang (108), forming the backbone of long-range operations in the South China Sea. With the addition of Dongguan (109) and Anqing (110), the Eastern Theater Command Navy has also officially commissioned two Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers, marking that all three major fleets are now equipped with this national heavy weapon, achieving a strategic balance in force allocation.

The People's Navy's large destroyers have achieved not only a transition from non-existence to existence and from few to many in just a few years but also a leap from "single ship formation" to "system victory."

The PLA Daily reported that the large-scale commissioning and systematic application of "10,000-ton destroyers" not only marks a dual leap in the quantity and quality of the Navy's main combat equipment but also reflects a new transformation in the Navy's system operations and long-range combat concepts, significantly enhancing the People's Navy's ability to carry out diversified military tasks in distant seas, providing solid equipment support for resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and injecting continuous Chinese strength into maintaining regional peace, stability, and global maritime security.

Military observer Song Zhongping, in an interview with the Global Times, stated, "The large-scale commissioning of Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers is not merely a simple accumulation of numbers but a precise configuration based on system combat needs." He believes that as a multifunctional, integrated comprehensive combat platform, the Type 055 destroyer is a landmark equipment for China's large destroyers to achieve single-ship system combat capabilities. Currently, the Chinese Navy has officially entered the "three aircraft carrier era," and the generation of long-range operational capabilities for carrier formations has placed unprecedented high demands on the quantity and quality of escort ships. Song Zhongping stated that as a dedicated combat platform, the aircraft carrier's combat system is not complete and must rely on destroyers like the Type 055 and Type 052D for escort and system support to form a complete combat capability. The Type 055 10,000-ton destroyer can independently construct a combat system and provide critical system supplements for aircraft carrier formations, which is a significant reason for its outstanding strategic value.

Song Zhongping stated, "With its strong regional air defense, anti-submarine, and command capabilities, the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyer has become an indispensable 'armed escort' in aircraft carrier formations. Ten 10,000-ton destroyers can simultaneously provide core escort for at least three aircraft carrier battle groups and can also be allocated to form independent long-range formations to carry out diversified tasks."

Official reports also highlight the system integration of 10,000-ton destroyers and aircraft carrier formations. Recently, CCTV reported that during a mission in the western Pacific, the Nanchang accompanied the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation for long-range combat training. Two foreign military vessels ignored multiple warnings from our side, continuously making sharp turns and accelerating to approach, attempting to forcibly cross our normal navigation formation. In response to the provocation from foreign military vessels, the Nanchang's combat alarm was instantly sounded, and all personnel quickly entered combat positions. The ship decisively implemented tactical maneuvers, effectively blocking the other party's crossing attempt and maintaining navigation order and national maritime rights.

In this regard, Zhang Junsha stated that the detail of the Nanchang quickly moving out to execute tasks after receiving orders from the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation command post shows that the command system of China's aircraft carrier formation has developed very well, and the Nanchang has deeply integrated into this system. He further stated that as an important part of the entire combat system, the Nanchang can quickly seize advantageous positions and effectively resist disturbances from foreign naval formations—through precise interception and forced displacement, it not only ensures the navigation safety of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation but also further expands the overall defensive depth of the formation.

Song Zhongping believes that the significance of China's development of the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyer lies not only in its integration into the aircraft carrier battle group and amphibious assault group to form a joint combat system. "The core advantage of the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyer lies in its construction of dual system combat capabilities. In addition to coordinating with aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, its single ship can also form its own system: relying on its complete command control and firepower configuration, it can independently carry out anti-ship, anti-surface, anti-land, and anti-submarine operations, and possesses air defense and anti-missile capabilities, even against low-orbit satellites, thus forming a complete combat system on its own." Moreover, the two systems can integrate and support each other. In combat, the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyer can achieve downward compatibility: if the large system is damaged, the single ship system can still independently support combat; if there are local issues with the single ship, the large system can timely fill in and provide backup. This flexible and efficient dual system architecture significantly enhances the overall reliability and safety of combat operations.

Song Zhongping stated, "In the future, with more Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers being commissioned, multiple independent combat units can be formed, deeply integrating with the aircraft carrier system, further enhancing the overall joint combat level."

Long-range Training: Revealing Hard-Core Combat Power

In recent years, in major mission tasks such as long-range deployment, combat readiness patrols, and responding to complex maritime and aerial situations, the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers have consistently taken on heavy responsibilities and frequently appeared, continuously testing and honing core combat capabilities through real combat tests in deep blue waters, facing foreign militaries, and participating in joint exercises.

Public reports show that the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers, represented by Nanchang and Yan'an, have repeatedly accompanied aircraft carrier formations into the distant oceans, conducting cross-day-and-night, multi-subject, and all-element joint combat training in vast sea areas such as the western Pacific. From regional air defense and anti-submarine countermeasures to anti-surface strikes and formation coordination, and to system confrontation in complex electromagnetic environments, a series of tightly aligned practical subjects have comprehensively tested and enhanced the core capabilities of the 10,000-ton destroyers in high-intensity environments.

Zhang Junsha stated, "The 10,000-ton destroyers are not only the 'armed escorts' of aircraft carriers but also key nodes in the long-range combat system. Every voyage is a test of equipment reliability, personnel quality, and formation coordination capabilities, solidifying the fundamental skills needed to win in real combat preparations."

In the vast oceans, there are no exercise scripts, but everywhere is a real combat background. According to CCTV news reports, during the training mission of the Shandong aircraft carrier formation in relevant sea areas, a foreign ship ignored international navigation rules and repeatedly attempted to approach for reconnaissance and interfere with the formation's normal navigation. In response to the sudden situation, the Yan'an's party calmly and decisively commanded, and the entire ship quickly entered a high-level combat readiness state, maintaining a strong vigilance and suppression posture, legally and according to regulations implementing actions to drive away foreign military vessels, successfully forcing the foreign ship away from the safe navigation route, effectively safeguarding the navigation safety and legal rights of the aircraft carrier formation.

"Through these practical training exercises, the Chinese Navy's ability to respond to maritime emergencies, rapid response capabilities, and strike capabilities in distant seas have greatly improved, significantly enhancing overall combat capabilities." Zhang Junsha believes, "The ability to quickly respond and effectively control the situation in unexpected confrontations without warning or preparation is the best proof of the 10,000-ton destroyers' readiness level and emergency response capabilities in near-real combat environments, also proving that the Yan'an is competent and has deterrent power against foreign military vessels."

It is reported that compared to other types of vessels, the 10,000-ton destroyers have a longer radar detection range, a broader air situation grasping range, and a faster response speed; at the same time, the number of air defense and anti-missile equipment on board is sufficient, with outstanding range, resulting in strong overall combat effectiveness. The long-range anti-ship missiles carried by the ship can also effectively enhance the aircraft carrier formation's long-range strike capabilities against surface targets. Zhang Junsha stated, "It is precisely because of these advantages that when responding to close-range disturbances from foreign aircraft carrier formations and vessels, the Yan'an can fully exert its combat effectiveness, forming a strong deterrent against foreign aircraft carrier formations."

In addition to enhancing combat capabilities in distant sea confrontations, the 10,000-ton destroyers have also gone abroad to participate in joint military exercises with foreign countries, humanitarian rescue operations, international maritime security cooperation, and other diversified tasks, testing their multi-task adaptability on a broader stage and showcasing the image of a great power navy.

In 2021, shortly after its commissioning, the Nanchang traveled to Peter the Great Bay in Russia to participate in the China-Russia "Maritime Joint-2021" military exercise, marking the Nanchang's first appearance on the international joint exercise stage. Facing unfamiliar waters, complex weather, and high-intensity subjects, the Nanchang performed steadily and accurately throughout, especially achieving first-round hits in live-fire exercises against surface targets, demonstrating the excellent performance and professionalism of China's new main battle ship to the world.

Experts believe that the Type 055 10,000-ton destroyer is not only a "heavy weapon of a great power" in terms of tonnage but also a maritime sharp knife that can withstand the tests of distant seas, bear mission tasks, and safeguard national interests. The latest additions to the 10,000-ton destroyer family, Dongguan and Anqing, have improvements in performance and weaponry, and will play a significant role in safeguarding national interests on the battlefield.

Zhang Junsha stated, "Firstly, this type of ship uses new composite materials and a new stealth design concept in the upper structure, effectively reducing the overall radar cross-section and weakening electromagnetic signal characteristics, significantly enhancing overall stealth levels. Secondly, the ship has been equipped with a new generation of onboard radar systems, extending the detection range for stealth aircraft and further strengthening reconnaissance warning and battlefield situational awareness capabilities. Thirdly, the power system has been optimized and upgraded, providing more robust output and outstanding overall performance, ensuring reliable support for high-speed maneuvers and long-term deployments in distant seas. Fourthly, the onboard weapon configuration is more advanced, especially capable of carrying hypersonic missiles, significantly enhancing strike radius and damage effectiveness, while also reserving space for the subsequent integration of new types of weapons." Zhang Junsha stated that in the future, more new Type 055 10,000-ton destroyers may join this family, making the composition of aircraft carrier formations more reasonable and further enhancing combat capabilities.