China boosts large destroyer fleet to deter US in Pacific
Illustrative photo: China increases the number of its most powerful warships (Getty Images)
China is expanding its fleet of large destroyers. Based on images circulating on social media, it appears that a new warship has already entered active service, according to Newsweek, Naval News, a post by China’s Ministry of Defense, and
According to Newsweek, China’s navy now consists of more than 370 vessels. Its main surface combatants include eight large Type 055 destroyers with a displacement of around 10,000 tonnes. Each of these ships can carry up to 112 missiles of various types, including hypersonic weapons.
The publication notes that China’s navy, combined with modern long-range missile forces, helps deter the United States from intervening in a potential conflict in the South China Sea or around Taiwan, in particular by threatening US forces in the western Pacific.
China is expanding its naval capabilities in response to the strengthening of the US Navy, including plans for a so-called “Golden Fleet” of 25 large warships. Each of these vessels is expected to have a displacement exceeding 35,000 tonnes and to carry up to 140 missiles.
New Chinese warship photo
On Tuesday, January 13, photos circulated on social media showing what is claimed to be a new Chinese Type 055 destroyer bearing the hull number 110.
Apparently the 10th Type 055 DDG was spotted for the first time with its pennant number "110" applied.
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 13, 2026
(via @太湖军I名) pic.twitter.com/bpBXylX8VS
Between January 2020 and March 2023, China commissioned CNS Nanchang and CNS Xianyang, the first and eighth Type 055 destroyers, respectively. This initial group of vessels carries hull numbers ranging from 101 to 108.
In a January analysis published by Naval News, Austrian naval analyst Alex Luck suggested that China has completed a second batch of Type 055 destroyers. According to him, this batch consists of six ships, with three built at the Jiangnan shipyard and three at the Dalian shipyard.
One more shot of the JN-produced 9th Type 055. Hull looks close to commissioning. pic.twitter.com/hS5gcs6qnX
— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) January 12, 2025
The analyst noted that at least four Type 055 warships from the second batch could be assigned to China’s Eastern Theater Command, which is responsible for military operations related to Taiwan, Newsweek reports.
Meanwhile, on January 13, the Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China released footage of military drills conducted in the South China Sea.
Live-fire Training: A destroyer flotilla assigned to the #navy under Chinese #PLA Southern Theater Command deployed its guided-missile destroyers Dalian (Hull 105), Yinchuan (Hull 175), Haikou (Hull 171) and other vessels to conduct live-fire training in #SouthChinaSea.… pic.twitter.com/KXC3MBDrZ0
— China Military Bugle (@ChinaMilBugle) January 13, 2026
The footage shows one of the first-batch destroyers, CNS Dalian, bearing hull number 105.
In October last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump had initiated the development of a new generation of warships. According to the report, the plan envisions building large surface combatants equipped with hypersonic missiles, as well as a new class of corvettes, aimed at countering China.
