The Nanchang, the first ship belonging to the Type 055 destroyer category of the Chinese Navy (Peoples Liberation Army Navy – PLAN), has attracted much attention from the maritime world after its official entry into service in Qingdao, Shandong Province on January 12, 2020.
The Nanchang is the first ship of China’s self-developed Type 055 destroyers, which was started in the Jiangnan Shipyard in December 2014. Subsequently she was launched on June 28, 2017, and she made her public appearance at the sea parade in April 2019. On January 12, 2020, the magnificent destroyer Nanchang officially entered service with the port number 101, amidst naval traditions and ceremony.
Today, the Chinese Navy boasts of more than 350 vessels under the category of aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, landing helicopter docks, missile boats, landing ships, replenishment ships, minesweepers, hospital ships, icebreaker vessels, rescue ships, ballistic missile tracking ships, corvettes, submarine chasers and a fleet of submarines. It is the second largest Navy in the world, in terms of tonnage. The Chinese Navy was established on April 23, 1949.
The guided missile destroyer Nanchang
The formidable Nanchang is equipped with 130mm naval guns, HQ-10 air defence missiles, 32-tube multifunctional launchers, new S-band active phased array radars, and double helicopter hangars. The destroyer can launch anti-ship, air defence, anti-submarine missiles, and land-attack long-range cruise missiles while adding anti-missile combat capabilities. This advanced weapons’ delivery capable of engaging multiple targets makes this class of ship a valuable and trusted asset in the naval fleet of China. The destroyer uses modern information, network radio, and electronic technology, and is equipped with more advanced air and sea radars. Radars play a crucial role in naval defence as early detection of the enemy is an advantage.
The Launch of the Type-55 destroyer.
The Type 055 destroyer ( Renhai-class cruiser) is a class of stealth guided missile destroyers of the People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force. It brilliantly showcases a multi-mission design; the combination of sensors and weapons suggests a main role of area air defence, with anti-submarine warfare capabilities surpassing previous Chinese surface combatants. The Type 055 is expected to undertake expeditionary missions and form the primary escort for Chinese aircraft carriers.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was interested in a large destroyer vessel as early as the late-1960s. A development programme code-named ‘055’, initiated in 1976, was cancelled in 1983 after encountering technical obstacles from industrial underdevelopment but the Chinese continued with zealous determination.
The CJ-10 missile
In April 2014, an image emerged of a full-scale mock-up of the Type 055 superstructure – with enclosed integrated mast for radar and other electronics – at the Chinese naval electronic testing range in Wuhan. The Nanchang, the first ship of the class, began construction in 2014 at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, and was commissioned on January 12, 2020. Its first public appearance – preceding commissioning – was during the PLAN’s 70th anniversary parade in April 2019 where she was greeted with resounding applause.
The modern Type 055 adopts a conventional flared hull with distinctive stealthy features including an enclosed forecastle that hides mooring points, anchor chains and other equipment. The bow and main deckhouse are configured similar to previous Type 052 destroyers. A continuous structure amidship increases internal volume and reduces radar cross-section. The smoke stack design reduces both infrared signature and radar cross-section which are vital to maintain a low profile at deep sea. Chinese sources credit the design as being generally stealthy, with reduced radar, noise, and electromagnetic radiation signatures.
The class has a dual-band radar system; four S-band Type 346B Dragon Eye active electronically scanned array (AESA) panels are mounted on the superstructure, and four smaller X-band panels are mounted on the mast. The Type 346B panels are good for greater transmission power and sensitivity.
Chinese sources claim the radar has anti-stealth capability and can be used to guide anti-satellite missiles. Various electronic warfare support measures (ESM), electronic counter measures (ECM), and electro-optic (EO) sensors and data links are mounted on this sailing fortress.
They are more advanced than those deployed on previous ships. The primary armaments are missiles carried in 112-cell vertical launching systems (VLS); the weapons configuration is 64 cells forward and 48 cells aft. The same VLS model is used on the Type 052D destroyer which is believed to be an implementation of the GJB 5860-2006 standard; the GJB 5860-2006 is capable of hot and cold launches using concentric canisters.
The longest variant, with nine-metre cells, is likely used. The Type 055 war ship is expected to carry HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles, CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles, and missile-launched anti-submarine torpedoes as part of her powerful firepower. Potentially, the larger cells may also carry anti-ship ballistic missiles.
The HQ9 weighs 1300 kilograms and can carry a 210 kilogram warhead. The missile has a range of 200 kilometres. To reduce the cost, the HQ-9 is designed to be flexible enough to employ a wide range of radars, both the search/surveillance/acquisition radar and the tracking/engagement/fire control radar (FCR). The YJ-18 missile can carry a 300Kg high explosive warhead. The deadly missile has a range of 220Km to 500 Km.
The CJ-10 is a second generation land attack cruise missile with a range of 1500 kilometres with a 500 kilogram warhead. The 300 plus officers and sailors who live and work together as a team on this stunning vessel are highly motivated and trained. The ship’s galley turns out nutritious meals to maintain good morale onboard. Sailors have all modern facilities for their welfare.
The robust Nanchang is the lead ship of the class and laid down in December 2014 at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. When launched, the Nanchang was among the largest post-Second World War warships launched in East Asia. Observers say the commissioning of China’s first 13,000-ton-class Type 055 destroyer, which is expected to accompany aircraft carriers in battle groups, is a step forward as Beijing seeks to operate farther from its shores and punch further into the western Pacific.
Launched in June 2017, its commissioning marks the Navy’s leap from the third generation to the fourth generation of destroyers; The Type 055 will serve as a ‘powerful escort’ to aircraft carriers. The Nanchang was launched in June 2017 and joined a naval parade last April marking the 70th founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. On April 5, 2021, the Nanchang became the first destroyer of her class take part in an aircraft carrier group. The vessel carries two medium lift helicopters. This modern battle destroyer enables China to project its naval power beyond her borders and enhances her offshore waters’ defence capability.
YJ-18 missiles
The ship’s weapons
– Daily News Sri Lanka
, Feature, ,