China Deploys One of the World’s Most Powerful Destroyers Near Iran as Western Attack Looms - Reports

A number of sources have reported that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy has deployed a Type 055 class destroyer to lead a contingent for operations around the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, including a smaller Type 052D class destroyer, and the Liaowang-1 maritime space-tracking and surveillance ship. At a time when the United States and several of its security partners in the Western world are considering launching an attack on Iran, these reported deployments have fuelled speculation that the Liaowang-1 and accompanying destroyers may be in the region to monitor the movements of U.S. Navy and other Western warships, allowing intelligence to be passed onto Iran. The importance of Iran to Chinese security interests makes this highly possible. If confirmed, this would have the potential to help deter a Western attack, removing the element of surprise from strikes launched and likely enabling Iranian forces to conduct more effective retaliation if the U.S. proceeds to initiate hostilities. 

On February 10 Chinese sources publicised satellite footage showing a newly installed U.S. Army THAAD anti-ballistic missile system at the Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base in Jordan, the primary hub of the recent U.S. military buildup, including a command post, a long-range multifunctional radar, and six launchers. The publication of this footage may be intended to send a signal that Chinese forces are wiling to provide satellite and other kinds of intelligence support to Iran. Complementing satellite data and the Liaowang-1’s vast sensor array, Type 055 destroyers integrate dual band radar systems similar to the SPY-3/SPY-4, which the U.S. Navy had intended but failed to integrate onto the Zumwalt class destroyer, which provide advanced over the horizon tracking capabilities. These sensors have the potential to provide targeting data to support Iranian missile, drone and possibly even air defence operations. 

The Type 055 and Type 052D’s defensive capabilities are expected to ensure that Western Bloc forces do not seek to directly target Chinese forces providing intelligence support, contrasting with the bombing of the military section of the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia in 1999 after it had reportedly been used to relay communications for Yugoslav forces against NATO attacks at the time. The Type 055 in particular is widely considered the most capable destroyer class in the world, with investments in large scale procurements of the ships and the complementary Type 052D class having totally transformed China’s ability to project power at sea over the last decade. Experience using the ships’ sensors and data sharing systems in an active war zone is also expected to be highly valued should the United States and its strategic partners proceed with an attack. 

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s provision of extensive satellite and other support to Iran would be far from unprecedented, with similar support widely reported to have been provided to Pakistan during Indian-Pakistani hostilities in May 2025, providing the latter with a distinct advantage during the conflict. There has been speculation that BeiDou stations may have been delivered to Iran to further strengthen its ability to receive support. While there have also been unconfirmed reports from regional sources from mid-2025 that Iran had received Chinese long range air defence systems to replenish its defences, the provision of intelligence support would potentially have a significantly greater impact on the conflict if confirmed, and could serve as a major force multiplier for Iran’s vast ballistic missile arsenal, which was confirmed during hostilities in June to have included both multi-warhead and hypersonic ballistic missiles.