The pennant system for the "big destroyer" appears to have changed and is different from the regular destroyer. 105 Dalian isn't the fifth 055, its the first 055 from Dalian and the third overall, following 101 Nanchang and 102 Lhasa. For some reason, 101 to 104 are Jiangnan ships, and 105 to 108 are Dalian ships. Makes you wonder how they will number the next eight. 112, 113, 115 and 116 are currently occupied, namely the two 052 and two 051C. You have to retire these.
Type 055 DDG Large Destroyer Thread
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The pennant system for the "big destroyer" appears to have changed and is different from the regular destroyer. 105 Dalian isn't the fifth 055, its the first 055 from Dalian and the third overall, following 101 Nanchang and 102 Lhasa. For some reason, 101 to 104 are Jiangnan ships, and 105 to 108 are Dalian ships. Makes you wonder how they will number the next eight. 112, 113, 115 and 116 are currently occupied, namely the two 052 and two 051C. You have to retire these.
Type 055 in a naval exercise. Firing its 130mm gun, 30mm CIWS, and some chaffs. Also have a footage of the ship refueling at sea.
It's mentioned that the 055's dual-band radar can detect stealth aircrafts and low orbit satellites.
Another potential theory I have is that 101-104 are for all Qingdao ships, while 105 to 108 are all Hainan ships. This will depend on the next relevant sighting, where 102 Lhasa is going to be sighted exactly.
The way they depart from the pennant convention behind the Type 051X and 052X classes point they view 055 as a new type of surface combatant.
Hmmm ... so what about this report? Based on this information, the second Type 055 DDG 'Dalian' has been commissioned as no. 105 into the PLA Navy South Sea Fleet (SSF) on 25 December 2020.
In my observation, PLAN ships, destroyers and frigates at least are always numbered in groups according to the fleet that they are assigned to, never numbered according to where they are built. 052X fits to this convention too.
Regarding the fact that 112 through 116 are taken already by 052, I believe that new 055s will just begin to take available number from the series that are assigned since 052s.
To be seen as a new type of surface combatant, effectively a crusiser for 055, it would not be merely different number series within 1XX. Three digit ships within 100s are for destroyers, regardless being 101 or 199.
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Another thing I forgot to say in post 8399 is that name "Dalian" as a city in Liaoning is allocated to northern fleet (Qingdao ships) per naming regulation. It's being spotted around Hainan does not mean it is assigned to southern fleet (Hainan ships), it is just there for testing in tropical weather.