Chinese Multirole and Air Defence Destroyers Sail Between Japanese Islands For Pacific Operations

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy deployed four warships to sail from between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island into the Pacific Ocean, according to data from the Japan Ministry of Defence's Joint Staff Office. The Chinese ships transited from January 27-28, including the Type 052C class air defence destroyer Xi'an and the Type 052D class destroyer Zibo, accompanied by a Type 054A frigate and a Type 903A comprehensive supply ship. The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force deployed a Sugashima class minesweeper and P-1 and P-3 maritime patrol aircraft to monitor the ships. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi noted that China was continuing to intensify its military operations around Japan, including repeated surface and air operations near Japanese territory. 

In the first week of January the Chinese Navy deployed the Type 052C destroyer Changchun to sail through the Miyako strait, as part of operations under the Justice Mission 2025 exercises, which simulated complex joint combat operations around the Taiwan Strait. The Changchun was accompanied by two Type 054A class frigates and a Vishnya class intelligence gathering ship, while in the air H-6K bombers, two J-16 fighters, two Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft, and two fighters of an unconfirmed second type flew between Okinawa and Miyako. The Type 052C is one of China’s older destroyer classes, and each integrate 48 vertical launch cells for HHQ-9 long range surface-to-air missiles, a navalised variant of the HQ-9, as their primary armament.

Previously in early December newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi threatened to intervene militarily in the ongoing conflict between the People’s Republic of China on the Chinese mainland, and the Republic of China based on Taiwan Island, which have for decades remained in a state of civil war, raising tensions significantly. Beijing responded by deploying a carrier strike group led by a Type 055 and two Type 052D class destroyers for exercises near Japanese territory, with the advanced capabilities demonstrated reportedly having caused major concern in the Japanese military leadership. Each Type 052D class ship integrates the 64 vertical launch cells, which can launch a wide range of surface-to-air missiles as well as cruise and ballistic missiles designed for both land attack and anti-shipping roles. The ships are in production on a much larger scale than any other destroyer type in the world, with seven having been commissioned in 2025 alone. The ships’ capabilities have continued to be modernised, with the new YJ-20 anti-ship ballistic missile expected to be integrated in 2026.