The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has once again signaled its growing maritime assertiveness by releasing footage of its most advanced surface combatants, the CNS Nanchang and CNS Xining, engaged in high-intensity training. The drills, which showcase the tactical synergy between different classes of destroyers, emphasize the PLAN’s transition toward a fully modernized, blue-water force capable of operating far beyond China’s immediate littoral zones.
The CNS Nanchang, the lead ship of the Type 055 Renhai-class, remains the centerpiece of this display. Displacing over 13,000 tons and equipped with 112 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, the Nanchang is widely regarded by naval analysts as one of the most powerful surface combatants in the world. Its participation in these exercises underscores its role as the primary protective umbrella for China’s expanding aircraft carrier strike groups.
Operating alongside the Nanchang is the CNS Xining, a Type 052D Luyang III-class destroyer. While smaller than the Type 055, the Xining serves as the versatile workhorse of the Chinese fleet, providing essential multi-role capabilities in anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare. The coordination between these two distinct classes suggests a high level of operational maturity and integration within the PLAN’s command structure.
These public displays of military prowess are rarely accidental and often serve as a dual-purpose tool for domestic messaging and international deterrence. By highlighting the 'full aura' and combat readiness of its premier vessels, Beijing is communicating its ability to contest maritime spaces that were once dominated by Western navies. This sustained emphasis on realistic training indicates that the PLAN is shifting its focus from rapid ship construction to the mastery of complex, multi-domain naval operations.