- PLA Navy commissions Dongguan (Hull 109) and Anqing (Hull 110) as the ninth and tenth Type 055 guided-missile destroyers.
- The 12,000-ton-class ships feature 112 vertical launch system cells and advanced integrated mast radar.
- Both vessels assigned to Eastern Theater Command Navy, the first Type 055s in Taiwan-facing waters.
- First batch of eight ships completed service entry by 2023; second batch now entering fleet.
- Type 055 fleet expansion supports PLAN carrier escort and multi-domain operations across three theater commands.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy has commissioned two new Type 055 guided-missile destroyers, Dongguan (Hull 109) and Anqing (Hull 110), bringing the total number of these 10,000-ton-class warships to 10.
The vessels entered service with the Eastern Theater Command Navy, according to official Chinese military reporting broadcast by China Central Television on March 9, 2026. This marks the first deployment of Type 055 destroyers to the East Sea Fleet, which operates in waters directly facing Taiwan and the first island chain.
The Big Picture
China continues rapid naval modernization as part of its broader military buildup. The People’s Liberation Army Navy now operates the world’s largest fleet by hull count and fields increasingly capable surface combatants. The Type 055 program forms a central element of this effort, providing large, multi-mission platforms that bridge the gap between traditional destroyers and cruisers. U.S. Department of Defense assessments note steady progress toward Beijing’s 2027 goals, including enhanced capabilities for potential Taiwan contingencies and operations beyond the first island chain.
What’s Happening
Dongguan and Anqing represent the lead ships of the second production batch. The first eight hulls — Nanchang (101) through Xianyang (108) — entered service between 2020 and 2023. The new pair received hull numbers 109 and 110 and appeared in official media footage confirming commissioning. Chinese state sources list the full fleet as Nanchang, Lhasa, Anshan, Wuxi, Dalian, Yan’an, Zunyi, Xianyang, Dongguan, and Anqing. All ten ships now serve across three theater commands, with the latest pair assigned to the Eastern Theater.
Why It Matters
The Type 055 class delivers significant combat power in a single hull. Each ship displaces approximately 12,000–13,000 tons at full load, measures 180 meters in length, and carries 112 vertical launch system cells. These cells accommodate a mix of HHQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missiles, YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles, CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles, and anti-submarine weapons. The integrated mast houses advanced radars capable of tracking hundreds of aerial targets simultaneously. A 130 mm main gun and multiple close-in weapon systems round out the suite.
Operationally, the ships serve as principal escorts for Chinese aircraft carriers and amphibious assault groups. Their size and sensor suite enable command-and-control functions previously limited to larger cruisers. The rapid transition from first to second batch production demonstrates sustained industrial capacity at Jiangnan and Dalian shipyards.
Strategic Implications
Assignment of the first Type 055 destroyers to the Eastern Theater Command alters the balance in waters around Taiwan. These vessels extend air-defense umbrellas, support long-range precision strikes, and enhance anti-submarine coverage in a high-threat environment. Their presence allows the PLAN to conduct more credible escort missions for carrier groups operating east of Taiwan or pushing toward the Philippine Sea. The move also signals Beijing’s intent to project power beyond coastal defense into sustained blue-water operations.
Competitor View
U.S. defense planners view the Type 055 as a key component of China’s anti-access/area-denial strategy. Pentagon reports highlight the class’s role in challenging American and allied forces in the western Pacific. The ships’ missile capacity and sensor reach complicate U.S. carrier strike group operations and increase the risk profile for surface forces inside the first island chain. Allies in Japan, Australia, and the Philippines monitor the development closely, as it directly affects maritime security in the East and South China Seas.
What To Watch Next
Analysts expect additional second-batch Type 055 hulls to reach commissioning milestones throughout 2026 and 2027. Satellite imagery already shows further vessels under construction at both major shipyards. The PLAN may integrate incremental upgrades, including improved electronics or future high-energy weapons, as production continues toward a potential total of 16 ships. Fleet exercises involving multiple Type 055 units alongside carriers will provide the clearest indicator of operational maturity.
Capability Gap
The Type 055 program addresses the PLAN’s previous shortfall in large, multi-mission surface combatants capable of independent operations far from shore. Earlier Chinese destroyers lacked the vertical launch capacity, radar performance, and command facilities required for modern carrier task groups. While the ships close that gap effectively, they still operate within a fleet that trails the U.S. Navy in overall experience and allied integration. Realistic limitations include dependence on shore-based logistics for extended deployments and vulnerability to advanced submarine threats in open ocean.
