Artist's impression of a Renhai Class cruiser launching an anti-ship ballistic missile from its aft VLS (vertical launch system) H I Sutton
Forbes: Chinese Navy May Be First To Get Ballistic Missiles
A Department of Defense report suggests that the Chinese Navy, formally known as the PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy), may put anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) on its new cruisers. These are the weapons dubbed ‘Aircraft Carrier Killers’ because of their massive hitting power. It would be the first time any navy has put this category of weapon on a warship. Chinese Navy cruisers would then be arguably the most heavily armed surface combatants in the world.
The 2020 China Military Power Report to Congress says that the new Type-055 Renhai Class cruiser “will likely be able to launch ASBMs and LACMs once these weapons are available”. LACMs refers to land-attack cruise missiles. The report comes in both classified and unclassified forms. In the unclassified version we are not presented with the evidence behind the assertion. But it would be a logical development, and would set Chinese warships apart from all others in the world.
The first Renhai Class cruiser was only commissioned in January of this year. But already the 8th ship has been launched on August 30.
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WNU Editor: The Chinese Navy is massively expanding its capabilities. This is one of those developments.
