The Type 055 large destroyer Xianyang (Hull 108) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy holds a training mission for combat readiness in the South China Sea in February 2024. Photo: Screenshot from China Central Television

The eighth Type 055 large destroyer of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has achieved operational capability, it was announced in a recent exercise in the South China Sea, marking all eight warships of this class now currently in service are now ready for deployment, experts said on Sunday.

During the Spring Festival holidays, the Type 055 large destroyers Xianyang and Yan'an affiliated with the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command embarked on a combat readiness training mission in an undisclosed area in the South China Sea, China Central Television (CCTV) reported over the past week.

During the exercise, the Xianyang was tasked to independently counter mock aerial targets, while the Yan'an conducted mock missile strikes against suspected maritime targets, CCTV reported.

"When I first saw the Xianyang, it was just an empty shell in the shipyard. I have witnessed with my own eyes its delivery, tests, trials and commissioning. Now, after the full-course training program over the past year, we have basically achieved operational capability," Chen Fashun, a crew member on the Xianyang, said in the CCTV report.

The commissioning of the Xianyang, the eighth and the latest Type 055 large destroyer of the PLA Navy, was announced in April 2023.

With the Xianyang achieving operational capability, all eight Type 055 large destroyers now currently in service with the PLA Navy are now ready for combat, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday.

Having a displacement of more than 12,000 tons, the Type 055 is widely believed to be one of the world's most powerful classes of multirole warship thanks to its high firepower of 112-cell vertical launch system capable of hosting air defense, anti-ship, anti-submarine and land attack missiles, as well as the outstanding situational awareness granted by its advanced radars, sensors and data link systems integrated into its mast, analysts said, citing openly available information.

Type 055 large destroyers can escort aircraft carriers or lead a group of warships in far sea operations, experts said, noting that the warships will play significant roles in safeguarding China's sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and development interests.

Observers speculated that China would likely build and commission more Type 055 large destroyers.