Type 055 destroyer

The Type 055 destroyer (NATO/OSD designation Renhai-class cruiser) is a class of stealth guided-missile destroyers (rated as guided-missile cruisers per NATO/OSD standard parlance) constructed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It has a multi-mission design; the combination of sensors and weapons provides a main role of area air defence, with anti-submarine warfare capabilities surpassing previous Chinese surface combatants. The Type 055 undertakes blue-water expeditionary missions and forms the primary escort for Chinese aircraft carriers. The United States classifies these ships as cruisers as the United States Navy (USN) defines a cruiser as a large multi-mission surface combatant with flag facilities; this suggests the U.S. expects the Type 055 to fulfill a similar role to the USN's Ticonderoga-class cruiser.