A series of relatively high-resolution and close-up images of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's Type destroyer Nanchang , which has the hull number , have appeared online. The pictures offer an unusually detailed top-down look at the armament, defensive systems, and other features of the warship, which is China's most modern and capable surface combatant.
At least two Type s are now reportedly moving into position to take part in a series of drills aimed at Taiwan in response to U. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's recent visit to the island , where their capabilities could be put on full display.
The images in question all appear to be screenshots from a segment broadcast on a Chinese-language television station, which were then posted online via the country's microblogging website Weibo. The lower thirds in all of the shots include the years "" and " It's unclear where these shots of Nanchang were taken, but it's possible that the ship is seen here pier side at its homeport in Qingdao in Shandong province in northeastern China.
Whatever the case, they give an unusually clear look at various key elements of this ship, which was the first Type to be commissioned , officially entering service in Since then, at least six more of these warships, which incorporate some low-observable stealth design features, have been built.
More are in various states of construction. Chinese media reports in the past have indicated that a total of at least 16 are eventually expected to join the PLA Navy's battle fleet. At just over and a half feet long and with a full displacement of between 12, and 13, tons, the U.
