Type 055 Renhai-class Destroyer

Full Specifications

Type 055 Renhai‑class Chinese Guided Missile Destroyer

The Type 055 Renhai‑class guided missile destroyer is the latest large surface combatant in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Built for sustained operations well beyond China’s coastal waters, the Type 055 blends long‑range strike power, layered air defense and anti‑submarine warfare in a single hull. It is one of the most capable non‑aviation combatants afloat today.

Design and Purpose

Manufactured at major Chinese yards including Jiangnan Shipyard and Dalian Shipbuilding, the Renhai‑class entered service in 2020 with the commissioning of Nanchang. China plans to field multiple units as primary escorts for carrier strike groups and as command ships for surface task forces.

This destroyer‑sized vessel displaces around 12,000 to 13,000 tons at full load and measures approximately 180 meters long with a 20‑meter beam. A combined gas turbine propulsion system lets it sustain speeds near 30 knots and range more than 5,000 nautical miles, enough for long ocean transits without support.

Sensors and Combat Systems

The Type 055’s sensor suite centers on multiple AESA radar panels mounted in an integrated mast. These systems extend detection and tracking hundreds of kilometers, feeding data into a modern combat management system for threat evaluation and engagement. Electro‑optical sensors, electronic warfare suites and hull sonars expand situational awareness in contested zones.

Weapons and Armament

A standout feature is its 112 universal vertical launch cells. These can fire long‑range surface‑to‑air missiles, anti‑ship cruise missiles, land‑attack missiles and anti‑submarine rockets. Close‑in defenses include rapid‑fire guns and short‑range missile systems, while torpedo tubes address subsurface threats.

Together these systems make the Type 055 a multi‑mission tool for fleet air defense, power projection and expeditionary deterrence.

Type 055 Renhai-class Destroyer Price

In U.S dollars the Type 055 Renhai‑class guided missile destroyer is estimated to cost about 888 million per unit, though actual acquisition in U.S context is not applicable since it is a Chinese naval platform.