PLA Navy’s Type 055 Destroyer “Zunyi” Sharpens Anti-Submarine Warfare Edge in South China Sea Drills

A Type 055 large destroyer of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has demonstrated significant advancements in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) during a rigorous, free-form confrontational exercise in the South China Sea. The drill highlighted the vessel’s role in building an “all-directional battlefield situational awareness network,” moving beyond its renowned air defense and anti-ship prowess.

Beneath the contested waters of the South China Sea, a silent game of cat and mouse unfolds. In a recent high-stakes drill, the PLA Navy’s Type 055 destroyer Zunyi proved it’s as deadly hunting submarines below as it is engaging targets above. According to a report by China Central Television (CCTV), the warship successfully acquired a submarine target and gathered vast real-time data, showcasing a major boost to its integrated warfighting capabilities.

For years, the Type 055—often dubbed a Renhai-class cruiser by Western observers—has been celebrated for its formidable air defense array and potent anti-ship missiles. This latest exercise, however, pulls back the curtain on its sophisticated anti-submarine suite. “The Type 055 not only excels at air defense and anti-ship operations, but also at anti-submarine warfare,” noted Chinese military affairs expert Wang Yunfei in an interview with the Global Times.

So, what gives the Type 055 this underwater edge? Experts point to two major advantages. First, its larger displacement allows for more powerful sonar systems. Wang Yunfei estimates its bow sonar and towed sonar arrays are larger than those on the Type 052D destroyer, enabling detection at greater ranges and with higher accuracy. Second, its dual helicopter hangars are a game-changer. “The Type 055 can deploy an extra Z-20 anti-submarine helicopter,” Wang explained, effectively extending its operational reach and persistence in hunting subsurface threats.

The crew of the Zunyi emphasizes that technology is nothing without mastery. Yang Minghan, a crew member, described the process of understanding the ship’s complex new systems: “By mastering every single detail with absolute clarity, and then connecting these thousands of details into lines… we can ultimately translate them into combat effectiveness.” This rigorous training philosophy was tested in the challenging environment of the South China Sea, a region Wang Yunfei notes has water depths “well-suited for submarine operations,” making drills there intensely realistic.

Preparation is key. Another crew member, Xu Yi, revealed that the crew pre-analyzes specific sea areas, studying “underwater terrains and marine environments” and their impact on acoustic propagation. This allows for more effective submarine detection, turning oceanography into a tactical weapon.

The Zunyi has been at the forefront of operational testing. Over the past year, it spent more than 200 days on long voyages, covering a staggering distance of over 50,000 nautical miles. Its schedule has included everything from aircraft carrier formation drills to combat patrols, systematically tackling key problems and turning new tactical concepts into standard practice.

This focused development signals a clear PLA Navy priority: achieving comprehensive dominance in all naval warfare domains. By honing the Type 055’s anti-submarine capabilities, China is addressing a critical global naval challenge and strengthening its ability to control and deny access to key maritime regions. The destroyer’s evolution into a multi-role powerhouse underscores China’s intent to field a blue-water navy capable of integrated, system-wide operations in any conceivable conflict scenario.