China plans to build only one Type 055 guided missile destroyer and this lone warship is receiving propaganda attention out of all proportion to its significance.

Admiral Li Jie with the Naval Military Academic Research Institute recently revealed more information about this lone destroyer, which is surprisingly being compared to the U.S. Navy's much superior USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), the world's most sophisticated -- and most expensive -- destroyer.

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Admiral Li confirms the lone Type 055 will be a new-generation 10,000 ton-class destroyer. Currently being developed by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the Type 055 will feature "high speed, great cruising ability, long endurance and sound global seaworthiness."

In addition to these advantages, the Type 055 destroyer will also have "outstanding stealth performance," thanks to "various stealth designs and comprehensive stealth means," claims Admiral Li.  He claims the destroyer's hull has a very small radar cross section; emits low infrared radiation; emits weak small electromagnetic radiation and has low noise levels.

The Type 055 will also able to carry more than 100 missiles of various types in its vertical launching system (VLS). These missiles are anti-ship missile missiles; surface-to-air missiles; anti-submarine missiles and long-range ground-attack cruise missiles.

This mix of missiles allows the lone Type 055 destroyer to attack targets as far away as 2,000 km, indicating a massive enhancement of ground attack capability. The destroyer also mounts a single 130 mm main gun.

Short-range and medium-range aerial targets are detected by a double-band radar; an S-band Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) system and an X-band phased array radar system.

Admiral Li claims the Type 055 is "very good" at capturing and processing information. The warship can also integrate the information it receives from sources in space, air, on the water and underwater.

Admiral Li said the Type 055 will be developed and built based on the needs of aircraft carrier battle group.

"Type 055 guided-missile destroyer carries medium-long-range and medium-short range air-defense missiles, which can significantly improve its overall air defense capability. It also has a strong anti-submarine capability, so it is much more able to protect aircraft carrier battle group than the Type-052D destroyer currently in service", said Admiral Li.

"In addition to escorting aircraft carrier battle group, Type 055 destroyer is also able to head up an independent multi-purpose marine combat taskforce and carry out air-defense, anti-submarine and anti-ship missions."

Tagschina, Type 055 guided missile destroyer, Admiral Li Jie, Naval Military Academic Research Institute, USS Zumwalt, People's Liberation Army Navy, PLAN