In recent years, China's military development has attracted widespread attention around the world, and the Internet has commented hotly: China's 055 is the strongest on the list. However, in the face of such hot comments, British netizens were not happy, and found faults, believing that Type 055 was designed and built by stealing technology. So, what's really going on with this?
The Type 055 destroyer is a fourth-generation missile destroyer developed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, which began construction in 2014 and officially entered service in 2020. The technical characteristics, as well as the military capabilities, are as follows:
The first aspect. Integrated power system and power plant
The Type 055 uses an integrated power system, which not only improves the power efficiency of the ship, but also provides sufficient power reserves for future high-energy weapons such as laser weapons and electromagnetic railguns. Its power plant is also composed of four QC-280 gas turbines and two MTU 20V4000 diesel engines, with a maximum speed of 30 knots and a cruising range of more than 5,000 nautical miles.
From this aspect alone, we can perceive the power of the systems and devices in the Type 055 destroyer.
The second aspect. Advanced radar and sensor systems
It is also equipped with China's self-developed Haihongqi-9B (HHQ-9B) long-range air defense missile system, as well as the Haihongqi-10 (HHQ-10) short-range air defense missile system, so that it can form a three-layer air defense network in the far, medium and near distances. More importantly, the phased array radar system is also comparable to the U.S. Aegis system, so it has high detection and tracking capabilities, and can deal with a variety of negative air and surface effects at the same time.
The third aspect. Powerful firepower configuration
It is equipped with 112 vertical launch units, and this configuration should not be underestimated. Because it can launch many types of missiles, including: anti-ship missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, etc. This configuration makes it have a powerful firepower projection capability in a variety of combat environments.
In fact, it is also an inevitable result for the development of Type 055 destroyers. The reason for this is that as the continent's economic and political influence on a global scale grows, the modernization of maritime power becomes an important part of the national strategy.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Chinese Navy has embarked on a large-scale modernization program aimed at improving its ocean-going combat capabilities and multi-mission capabilities. The emergence of Type 055 is the embodiment of this strategic need.
It can be said that with the commissioning of Type 055 in the later period, it not only improves the overall combat capability of the Chinese Navy, but also has a profound impact on the maritime security pattern of the Asia-Pacific region.
As a multi-functional warship, it can not only undertake traditional maritime air defense, anti-submarine and anti-ship missions, but also has powerful ground attack capabilities. This makes it indeed of higher strategic value in regional conflict and crisis management. In addition, the existence of Type 055 also increases China's maritime power in disputed waters such as the South China Sea and the East China Sea, which will help safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
From this point of view, it is indeed a good side, but in the military aspect, any good side will also bring disadvantages. With the entry into service of the Type 055, it has also attracted wide attention from the global media and military enthusiasts.
In the process, although it has also been praised by many military commentators, it believes that it has the strength to compete with the world's top destroyers.
But in the same way, it will also bring certain doubts: for example, on the Internet, some British netizens questioned the source of the technology of the Type 055, believing that its design and construction may be suspected of "stealing" foreign technology.
But why is there such a doubt? Let's break it down.
First of all, the development of China in the field of military technology is indeed a topic of great concern. By investing heavily in funds and resources, China has strengthened independent research and development and technological innovation, and has made remarkable progress in the field of military equipment such as missile destroyers. However, this kind of progress is not entirely based on "stealing technology", but through independent research and development, technology introduction, cooperation and exchange.
Secondly, for the Type 055 missile destroyer, although in the process of design and construction, it is possible to absorb and learn from the technology and experience of other countries, but this is not the same as "stealing".
In today's globalized world, military technology exchanges and cooperation between countries have become the norm, and the acquisition and application of technology are often based on legal and compliant channels and consultations.
In addition, the improvement of China's independent R&D and innovation capabilities is also a factor that cannot be ignored. With the rapid development of China's economy and the enhancement of its scientific and technological strength, China has made significant progress in investing in scientific research and personnel training, which has provided a solid foundation for the development of its military technology.
Therefore, when designing and building Type 055 missile destroyers, China's technical capabilities and level are not completely dependent on the "theft" of external technology, but more based on its own research and development strength and accumulation.
All in all, what British netizens call "stealing technology design and build" may be a bias or misunderstanding. Because, in the design and construction of the Type 055 missile destroyer, although China may have absorbed and borrowed the technology and experience of other countries, it is more based on the results of independent research and development and innovation.