Destroyers represent the major component of the modern Chinese surface fleet and within this category resides the most potent form of guided-missile destroyer available to the service in the Type 055. The class, known to NATO as the "Renhai-class", currently (2023) number eight hulls led by CNS Nanchang (101) commissioned in 2020. One of the latest additions to the group is CNS Wuxi (104) who recently completed its war-fighting capability trials in March of 2023.
These warships are classified as destroyers to China but maintain qualities more akin to Cold War-era cruisers according to NATO classifications. Dimensions include a length of 590.6 feet with a beam of 65.6 feet and a draught of 21.7 feet. Displacement is between 12,000 and 13,000 tonnes under full loads. The ships are spread about the Chinese defensive line consisting of the North Sea and South Sea fleets.
For its part, CNS Wuxi (104) is assigned to the North Sea Fleet.
The Type 055 destroyer has a focus on a broad mission set, capable of being used in an offensive or defensive manner individually or as part of the main fighting fleet. This means an equally broad weapons suite that is made up of ballistic, missile, and torpedo weaponry. Over the forecastle is a 130mm H/PJ-38 series turreted deck gun that can be used against other surface ships or as a land-attack measure. The ships are also equipped with the H/PJ-11 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) to deal with shorter-ranged threats. At the heart of the suite, however, is the missile load the vessel carries: 1 x 24-cell HQ-10 short-ranged Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher and 1 x 112-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS). The latter can support SAM, cruise, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missile types. Rounding out the weapons array are 2 x 324mm torpedo launchers to deal directly with submarine and surface ship threats.
Beyond its useful weapons set, the ship is equipped with all-modern sensors, communications, and processing systems. This includes an X-band radar, the "Dragon Eye" Type 346B (C/S-band) radar, and the Type 726-4 decoy launcher. A comprehensive Electronic Warfare System (EWS) is fitted to enhance survivability of the ship in contested waters.
Installed power is from 6 x QD-50 turbine generators offering a combined 40,000 horsepower output and 4 x QC-280 gas turbines delivering a combined 150,000 horsepower. These are arranged in a COmbined Gas-And-Gas (COGAG) configuration allowed the ship to benefit from the mix of powerplants depending on the action required (cruising or dashing).
Aboard is a complement of approximately 300 personnel.
Externally, the warship has an all-modern design appearance with an unbroken hull line, reduced protrusions, and enclosed mast works. The smoke funnels at midships are also of an enclosed and low-profile design. The bridge takes up its usual place above and aft of the forecastle and the hull superstructure is a single continuous mass, stepped at parts towards the stern.
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March 2023 - CNS Wuxi was showcased in a Chinese propaganda video having achieved war-fighting capability.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.
✓Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.
✓Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.
✓Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.
✓Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.
ANTI-AIRCRAFT
Onboard systems alert and protect the vessel from airborne, low-flying airborne threats through ballistic and / or missile weaponry.
OVER-THE-HORIZON
An Over-the-Horizon operational capability is granted to the vessel, typically through launched fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft.
MISSILE ARMAMENT
The vessel supports the launching of missiles against airborne, waterborne, or land-based targets at range; typical of modern designs.
TORPEDOES
Ability to launch torpedoes against ocean-going targets.
Length
590.6 ft 180.01 m
Beam
65.6 ft 19.99 m
Draught
21.7 ft 6.61 m
Displacement
13,800 tons
Installed Power:
COGAG (COmbined Gas-And-Gas): 6 x QD-50 turbine generators developing 40,000 horsepower and 4 x QC-280 gas turbines of 38,000 horsepower driving 2 x Shafts astern.
Surface Speed
30.0 kts (34.5 mph)
Range
5,040 nm (5,800 mi | 9,334 km)
kts = knots | mph = miles-per-hour | nm = nautical miles | mi = miles | km = kilometers
1 kts = 1.15 mph | 1 nm = 1.15 mi | 1 nm = 1.85 km
1 x 130mm H/PJ-38 turreted deck gun.
1 x 24-cell HQ-10 short-ranged Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system.
1 x 112-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) for SAM, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and land-attack missiles.
1 x H/PJ-11 Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).
2 x twin-tubed 324mm torpedo tubes.
Supported Types
(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
2 x Medium-lift navalized helicopters supported from the stern helipad/hangar deck area.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective naval campaigns / operations / periods.
Images Gallery
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Video image capture of CNS Wuxi 104 at sea conducting its final trials.
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