Author: Golden Bomber, [Military Second Dimension]
On January 20, the CCTV National Defense and Military Channel's "Military News" program broadcasted footage of the Type 055 destroyer "Zunyi" from the Northern Theater Command Navy conducting joint anti-submarine exercises with submarine forces in a certain area of the South China Sea. The report specifically pointed out that the "Zunyi" ship successfully detected an underwater submarine target using its onboard sonar system during the exercise and transmitted the relevant information in real time, building a complete battlefield situation map. Although people are already familiar with the performance of the Type 055 destroyer, this report emphasized its anti-submarine training course against the backdrop of the military's 2026 mobilization, which has drawn attention.
▲The "Zunyi" Ship
For a long time, foreign media has been vigorously spreading the idea that the Type 055 destroyer has "serious shortcomings" in anti-submarine operations. This CCTV report focusing on its anti-submarine capabilities is clearly a direct response to that claim. As is well known, the Type 055 destroyer has a displacement of about 13,000 tons, is equipped with 112 large vertical launch system cells, and carries dual-band radar, placing its performance among the top tier of destroyers globally.
However, Western analysts generally believe that the design of the Type 055 focuses more on regional air defense and fleet command functions, similar to the "Ticonderoga"-class cruisers in the US aircraft carrier battle groups—although they excel at air defense, their anti-submarine capabilities are significantly weaker than those of the "Arleigh Burke"-class destroyers, which specialize in anti-submarine warfare.
▲Type 055
On one hand, Western observers noted that early photos of the "Nanchang" ship did not clearly show the sonar winch, and thus questioned whether the related equipment might not have been developed yet. Even after the "Nanchang" ship and its sister ships were equipped with such sonars, the West still insisted that their performance might be subpar. On the other hand, the early Type 055 was equipped with the Zhi-9C anti-submarine helicopter, whose dipping sonar and magnetic anomaly detection equipment were inferior to the US MH-60R anti-submarine helicopter. Based on these two points, Western analysts generally consider the Type 054A frigate as the main anti-submarine force in the Chinese Navy's fleet, believing that the Type 055 can only undertake auxiliary tasks and cannot independently carry out efficient anti-submarine operations.
▲Zhi-20F
This view was indeed reasonable in the early days, as the Type 055 had some shortcomings in anti-submarine operations due to limitations in sonar equipment and shipboard helicopter performance. However, Western analysis has a clear bias: the design goal of the Type 055 has never been limited to a single purpose, but rather emphasizes multi-purpose and comprehensive combat capabilities. The Type 055 is equipped with a cold-hot dual-use vertical launch system, capable of carrying the Yu-8 rocket-assisted anti-submarine torpedo; the medium-frequency active sonar installed on the hull has reached world-leading levels. At the same time, the Type 055 reserves a towed sonar compartment door, and has ample hangar space to accommodate more advanced anti-submarine helicopters, which have laid a solid foundation for further improvement of its anti-submarine capabilities.
▲Type 055
After 2022, a large number of actual ship photos confirmed that the Type 055 has already installed domestically produced low-frequency towed sonar within the towed sonar compartment. Subsequently, the Zhi-20F anti-submarine helicopter completed its deployment on the ship, and the Type 055's double hangar can permanently house two of these helicopters. The Zhi-20F is equipped with a complete dipping sonar, sonar buoys, light torpedoes, and magnetic anomaly detectors. Compared to the Zhi-9C, its ability to search for submarines and its endurance have been significantly improved, and it is now comparable or even equivalent to the MH-60R.
It is speculated that the large bulbous bow sonar at the front of the Type 055 is a medium-frequency active type, with a detection range of tens of kilometers for submarines; the low-frequency passive towed array sonar is mainly used for long-range detection of silent submarines, while the Yu-8 anti-submarine torpedo and the anti-submarine helicopter form a complementary hard-kill system against submarines.
▲Type 055
The high-profile display of the Type 055's anti-submarine capabilities is not merely to respond to external doubts, but also indicates a subtle adjustment in its positioning. Previously, official statements always described the Type 055 destroyer as the "bodyguard" of the aircraft carrier, integrating anti-ship, air defense, and command tasks. With the full enhancement of its anti-submarine capabilities, the Type 055 remains a multi-purpose "bodyguard," still primarily focused on air defense and command, while the enhancement of anti-submarine capabilities is more a result of its overall capability maturity rather than a key emphasis. After all, the decisive factor in victory has always been the formation, not a single ship.
In future long-range formation missions, the Type 055 will not replace the dedicated anti-submarine role of the Type 054A, but instead play a role as a formation commander, "bodyguard," and "versatile core." In summary, the new generation of major warships represented by the Type 055 of the Chinese Navy are achieving a transition from "technological catch-up" to "technological leadership" through systematized combat construction. This not only reflects an overall upgrade in the technical capabilities of the Chinese Navy's equipment but also demonstrates the clear confidence of a great power's strategy.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7599206618500268598/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.