The Week:
Media reports and satellite imagery have fuelled speculation that China will showcase the first ship of a new class of large surface warships at an international fleet review during the 70thanniversary celebrations of the creation of its navy in Qingdao on April 23.
Construction of the first Type 055 class destroyer began in 2015 and the vessel commenced sea trials in 2018. The Type 055 class destroyer is nearly 180 meters long and displaces about 12,000 tonnes, making it one of the largest surface warships in the world, excluding aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. Experts have speculated the Type 055 would be a key element of China’s aircraft carrier battle groups as they project power.
According to a media report shared by China’s Ministry of National Defence in 2015, the Type 055 class ships can carry “over 100 missiles”. The warship is equipped with an advanced long-range radar system for detection and tracking of aerial and surface targets.
