Chinese destroyer Zunyi (107)
Type 055 destroyer of the PLA Navy
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Zunyi (107) is a Type 055 destroyer of the People's Liberation Army Navy. She was commissioned in November 2022.[1]
_20250609.jpg) Zunyi underway on 9 June 2025 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 China | |
| Name | Zunyi |
| Namesake |
|
| Builder | Dalian Shipyard, Liaoning[1] |
| Laid down | 2017[1] |
| Launched | 26 December 2019[1] |
| Commissioned | November 2022[1] |
| Identification | Pennant number: 107[2] |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type 055 destroyer |
| Displacement | 12–13,000 t (12–12,795 long tons) (full load) |
| Length | 180 m (590 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 20 m (65 ft 7 in) |
| Draught | 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range | 5,000 nmi (9,300 km) |
| Complement | 300+ |
| Sensors & processing systems | |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | Electronic warfare system |
| Armament | |
| Aircraft carried |
|
| Aviation facilities |
|
Development and design
The People's Liberation Army Navy was interested in a large destroyer from as early as the late-1960s. A development program, code-named "055", initiated in 1976 was cancelled in 1983 after encountering insurmountable technical obstacles from industrial underdevelopment; for example, the required gas turbine power plants could neither be produced domestically, nor imported at acceptable prices.[3] In April 2014, an image emerged of a full-scale mock-up of the Type 055 superstructure - with enclosed integrated mast for radar and other electronics at the Chinese naval electronic testing range in Wuhan.[4][5]
The Type 055 is expected to undertake expeditionary missions and form the primary escort for Chinese aircraft carriers.[6][7] While China classifies the Zunyi as a destroyer, the United States Department of Defense and the Office of the Secretary of Defense have classified the vessel as a cruiser since its full displacement weight exceeds 12,000 tonnes.[8][9] The United States Navy defines a cruiser as a large multi-mission surface combatant with flagship capabilities; this suggests the U.S. expects the Type 055 to fulfill a similar role as the Ticonderoga-class cruiser.[6][10]
Construction and career
The Zunyi was launched on 26 December 2019 at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company in Liaoning.[1] The ship was commissioned in November 2022.[1] It is part of the South Sea Fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy.[1]
Between mid February and early March 2025, the Zunyi was part of a task group of Chinese three warships including the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang and Fushi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, which conducted live-fire exercises in international waters in the Tasman Sea. The task group was monitored by both the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces.[8][11]