China China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)
Type 055
A large guided-missile destroyer, sometimes classed as a cruiser due to its size and 112-cell vertical launch system, forming the escort backbone for China's carrier strike groups. It fields an integrated combat system with dual-band radar comparable to Western Aegis-equipped ships.
In service since 2020 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
12,000
t
30
kn
5,000
nmi
112
VLS
300
crew
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 2020. Status: active · ~8 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Compatible munitions & weapons
Publicly reported weapons the Type 055 can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.
Full specifications
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 1x 130 mm main gun |
|---|---|
| VLS cells Vertical-launch missile cells on a warship, a proxy for magazine depth. Higher means more missiles before rearming. | 112 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 180 m |
|---|
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
| Radar Primary radar. AESA (active electronically scanned array) is the current state of the art. | Type 346B dual-band AESA radar |
|---|---|
| Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights. | integrated mast sensor suite, towed sonar array |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 8 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
Specifications compiled from public China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Naval Group Amiral Ronarc'h-class Frigate (FDI) 
Navantia Alvaro de Bazan class (F100) Head-to-head comparisons
Type 055 vs
Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer 
Type 45 Daring 
Sachsen-class 
Kirov-class 
Maya-class 
Sejong the Great-class destroyer 
Formidable-class Frequently asked questions
What is the main armament of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055? +
The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055's primary weapon is the 1x 130 mm main gun.
What is the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055 used for? +
The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055 is a warship typically used for air defense, deep strike.
How many countries operate the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055? +
The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055 is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055 cost? +
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Type 055: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
Similar systems
Related coverage
Type 055 in the news
News technology · Jul 31, 2026
China Fields Hypersonic Missile on Its Most Common Destroyer
China's YJ-20 hypersonic missile, previously tied only to its Type 055 flagships, just launched from a Type 052D, a class with 35 hulls in service.
Article industry · Jul 20, 2026
Two Naval Gun Calibers Arm 72% of the World's Warships
Of 53 gunned warships in the WeaponSpecs database, 76mm and 127mm guns each arm 19 ships, 38 of 53 combined, or 72 percent, of the entire fleet.
Article guide · Jul 17, 2026
How Many VLS Cells Does a Warship Actually Carry?
Sejong the Great publishes 128 VLS cells, ahead of Ticonderoga's 122 and Type 055's 112, but cell count isn't one comparable unit across navies.
Article guide · Jul 13, 2026
The 10 Best Destroyers of 2026, Ranked
A 10-to-1 countdown of the best destroyers of 2026, ranked on real combat record, air defense, weapons and sustainment, not brochure numbers.
Article comparison · Jul 6, 2026
Arleigh Burke vs Type 055 vs Sejong the Great
South Korea's Sejong the Great carries 128 VLS cells, more than China's Type 055 or the US Navy's Arleigh Burke, but the number hides three tradeoffs.
Article industry · Jul 5, 2026
Which Warship Packs the Most Missiles Per Ton?
Israel's Sa'ar 6 corvette packs 16.0 VLS cells per 1,000 tons, beating the Ticonderoga and Arleigh Burke classes despite a fifth of their size.