China's Type 055 large Guided-Missile Destroyer Anqing (Hull 110) has successfully completed its first live-fire training exercises at a designated East China Sea area, demonstrating its operational readiness and combat capacities.
The destroyer was recently commissioned into the navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command and carried out the training at sea with several other types of vessels.
During the initial round of live-fire training, the projectiles showed some deviation. Wang Fulin, the operator of the main gun on the bow and a veteran who previously served aboard China's Type 052C and Type 052D guided-missile destroyers, remained calm under pressure before corrections were made to achieve accurate hitting of all targets.
"At the beginning, the first two projectiles showed some deviation. But we had already had a plan in advance for a situation like this. So we made corrections immediately, and all subsequent shots hit the target precisely, meeting our training expectations," he said.
With the experience on three types of destroyers, the Type 052C, Type 052D and Type 055, Wang has personally witnessed the rapid leapfrog development of China's guided-missile warships, characterized by larger gun calibers and enhanced firepower.
He said that while the advancement in equipment brings greater firepower advantage, it also imposes stricter tests on the psychological quality and operational skills of the gun operators.
"After comparing these three types of destroyers, my impression is that the equipment on board is becoming increasingly advanced. Operating such advanced equipment gives us greater confidence in winning battles and a firmer determination to defeat any powerful enemies," Wang said.
Equipped with advanced early warning and detection systems, the officers and soldiers aboard Destroyer Anqing are also actively conducting early warning and detection training in complex electromagnetic environments, using real maritime and aerial targets.
"We conduct early warning and detection training based on the situation of existing maritime and air targets to detect objects at an early and distant stage, in efforts to enhance the troops' skills and capabilities on active duty, and achieve the integration of personnel and equipment as soon as possible," said Li Chongxiao, a crew member of Destroyer Anqing.
China's Type 055 Destroyer Anqing conducts first live-fire training at sea
