Sailors stand on the deck of the new type 055 guided missile destroyer Nanchang, belonging to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. China staged a naval parade on April 23 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy.
Rapidly becoming the workhorse destroyer of the Chinese Navy, the Type 052D (pictured) builds upon the success of the Type 052C design with the addition of a flexible vertical launch system of 64 cells, capable of launching a variety of weapons including anti-submarine munitions, anti-ship missiles and long-range anti-air interceptors.
Seeking to develop a sea-based nuclear deterrent, the Chinese military plans to build a fleet of large ocean-going nuclear ballistic missile submarines. The Type 094A (pictured) represents the first class of such underwater vessels that are expected to eventually deploy on nuclear deterrence patrols.
The pride of the Chinese surface fleet, this Type 055 destroyer is the first of its class, with seven other vessels in varying states of build. The Type 055 is one of the most potent destroyers in the world.
Part of the armament aboard the Type 055, the H/PJ-11 close-in weapon system serves as a last-ditch defense against incoming missiles, aircraft and small surface vessels.
J-15 naval fighters aboard the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning. The Liaoning is the first aircraft carrier the Chinese have operated and serves a key role as a training carrier for China's first generation of carrier pilots and crew.
The Type 052D is equipped with a single H/PJ-45 as its primary gun armament. The 130 mm H/PJ-45 is an upgrade on the 100 mm caliber of the Type 052C, enabling the gun to shoot farther -- up to about 30 kilometers (19 miles) -- with a larger shell.
The Type 071 amphibious transport dock is the largest class of landing ship in the PLA Navy. With six already in service and two more under construction, the Type 071 provides China with significant lift -- its carrying capacity is nearly 1,000 troops without additional vehicles, or about half that with 20 armored vehicles.
As the Chinese Navy has continued to rapidly grow over the last two decades, its interaction with other navies around the world has similarly increased. As part of the naval parade celebrating the Chinese Navy's 70th anniversary, 18 foreign warships from countries as varied as India, Japan and Australia partook.
As part of China's growing external focus, especially when it comes to Beijing's ambitions in the South and East China seas, the Communist government under President Xi Jinping has continued to emphasize the development of its naval and aerospace forces.
