US vs. Chinese cruisers: China is building its top surface warship at breakneck speed, and it's a match for its US rival

The Type 055 class guided missile destroyer is the most modern and potent surface combatant in China 's navy.

Designed for multiple missions and fitted with a massive arsenal and advanced electronics, it is an apex predator in the PLAN 's growing fleet meant to protect China 's carriers from harm.

The class is so daunting and capable that the US Department of Defense classifies it as a cruiser.

China 's desire for a massive combatant dates back to the 1960s , but was canceled in 1983 due to weaknesses in its industrial base.

The size, armament, and mission of the Type 055 are often compared to the US Navy's Ticonderoga-class cruiser.

Measuring 567 feet long, displacing around 10,000 tons , the ships of the class first entered service in 1983 .

The Ticondogas are no less potent and have a larger missile arsenal, with two sets of 61 Mk 41 VLS cells able to carry 122 missiles and two quad-tubed Mk-141 launchers.

A modernization effort for seven cruisers went as much as 200% over budget and fell years behind schedule.

The Navy wants to divest from ships it says it doesn't need and invest in new vessels.

Congress has so far rejected the Navy 's plans to retire all of its remaining cruisers due to fears that they play too important a role in countering China .