According to a recent report from CCTV, the Type 055 guided-missile destroyer “Nanchang” encountered provocation from “foreign forces” during a distant training mission. From the footage, it can be observed that the Nanchang destroyer even opened multiple launch hatches of the vertical launch system on its forward deck, with a strong smell of gunpowder. Analysts believe that this moment was extremely close to a confrontation, with a battle being just a step away.
CCTV reported on the 7th that in 2022, the Nanchang destroyer, accompanying an aircraft carrier formation in the Western Pacific for distant sea training missions, received instructions to face a foreign aircraft carrier formation just a hundred nautical miles away. This was the first encounter for the Nanchang destroyer with a foreign aircraft carrier formation. Faced with prolonged and intense harassment by foreign ships and aircraft, the Nanchang ship sounded the battle alarm, engaged in combat training, demonstrated strategic wit in the vast oceans, expanded defense depth, ensured maneuvering space, and effectively fulfilled the sacred duty of “escorting the aircraft carrier formation.”
This marks the first time that Chinese official media has exposed the close contact between the Nanchang destroyer and foreign aircraft carrier formations. The footage also shows what appears to be two F/A-18E/F “Super Hornet” carrier-based aircraft from the United States alongside the Nanchang destroyer, with multiple launch hatches of the forward deck vertical launch system already open. Analysis suggests that this scene indicates the Nanchang destroyer was ready to launch, just a press of the launch button away. Clearly, this was an extremely close moment to a confrontation, and the scene was filled with the smell of gunpowder.
According to reports from the Global Times, military expert Zhang Junshe believes that in such a situation, the Nanchang destroyer not only activated various radars but also entered combat mode with artillery and missiles. Through these practical training exercises, the capabilities of the Chinese Navy to respond to unexpected situations at sea, rapid response, and combat effectiveness have been greatly enhanced, significantly improving its comprehensive capabilities for far-sea operations. This detail also confirms that as the “escorts armed with knives” for China’s aircraft carrier formations, the Nanchang destroyer is competent and has deterrent power against foreign warships.
Zhang Junshe mentioned that the Nanchang destroyer has a longer radar detection range than other types of ships, detecting more airborne targets with faster reaction speeds. Additionally, the Nanchang destroyer has a large number of anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons with long ranges, making its combat capabilities formidable. Furthermore, the Nanchang destroyer is equipped with anti-ship missiles with a sufficiently long range, enhancing the aircraft carrier formation’s ability for sea assaults.
Zhang Junshe believes that considering the Nanchang destroyer’s response to the command from the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation command, the command system of China’s aircraft carrier formations is already very mature, and the Nanchang destroyer has integrated into it.
