Commercial satellite imagery indicates that China has begun construction of its sixth Type 055 guided-missile destroyer for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). “The imagery shows that the pier side assembly of the first modules for hull 6 began between 21 December 2017 and 3 January 2018,” an IHS Jane’s analysis notes. “Two Type 055 hulls (3 and 4), both of which are in the late stages of assembly, are present in a neighboring dry dock.” The Type 055 destroyer is expected to serve a critical role in the PLAN’s first carrier strike group. The PLAN currently has plans to deploy at least eight Type 055 destroyers.