China's Type 055 destroyer Dongguan, hull number 109, boasts powerful combat capabilities, equipped with over 110 vertical launch units, multiple types of helicopters and drones, and a range of naval guns.
The main gun of the destroyer, with a 130mm caliber, delivers devastating lethal power.
Leng Xu, a crew member of the vessel, expounded on the strong weaponries of the warship.
"Our main gun boasts a large caliber, delivering greater lethality and destructive power. It also features high rate of fire, large ammunition capacity, and exceptional reliability. It can effectively strike enemy targets at sea and on shore. The structures like chocolate bars are the universal vertical launch units. We have 64 launch units on the foredeck and another 48 in the midship section. The ship carries a total of 112 launcher units. Their primary features are high ammunition capacity and the ability to launch multiple types of missiles. For example, both our anti-aircraft missiles and anti-ship missiles are launched from these units," he said.
"Above us is the familiar '10,000-round cannon' (close-in weapon system), our ultimate trump card for terminal defense. Much like a goalkeeper on the soccer field, its key strengths lie in high firing rate, low cost, and exceptionally high damage probability. During engagement, it instantly forms a barrage of fire, effectively intercepting incoming enemy missiles and aircraft," said Leng.
The flight deck of the ship is spacious, capable of accommodating two large helicopters for takeoff and landing.
"The ship is equipped with dual hangars capable of accommodating a wider variety of carrier-based aircraft and drones. Compared to previous ship designs, our deck is larger, providing a broader platform. With additional hangars comes greater responsibility. Therefore, we must train even harder to standardize every maneuver, establish protocols, and adapt to the demands of future battlefields," said Zhang Chen, another crew member.
The vessel also features specialized compartments such as a gym, library, and music room.
The Type 055 destroyer is the fourth-generation destroyer independently developed and built by China. As one of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's most advanced surface warships, it carries advanced radar, universal vertical launch systems, and comprehensive radio frequency system, serving as the core of the naval fleets for far-sea missions.
The Dongguan was commissioned to the PLA Navy together with another Type 055, the Anqing (Hull 110). With these additions, the number of China's Type 055 10,000-ton-class destroyers has risen to 10 since the first Type 055 destroyer Nanchang (Hull 101) was commissioned in 2020.
China's Type 055 destroyer Dongguan boasts powerful combat effectiveness
