The Most Advanced Destroyer, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the destroyer you think is the most advanced!

Updated on Apr 21, 2024 06:18

In the complex world of naval defense, destroyers play a pivotal role in maintaining maritime security and superiority. Their advancements in technology, armament, and design not only determine their effectiveness in various operations but also reflect a nation's military prowess and ingenuity. This makes it important to assess which destroyers stand out in these competitive fields. By casting your vote on the ranking, you contribute to a broader understanding of how these ships compare on a global scale. Each vote helps in shaping a clear picture of which destroyers are seen as superior based on public opinion and available data. This insight is valuable for enthusiasts, experts, and policymakers involved in naval defense strategy and development.

What Is the Most Advanced Destroyer?

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75
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(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works/Released) 151207-N-ZZ999-435 · Public domain

Zumwalt-class destroyer

This is the most advanced destroyer in the world, developed by the United States Navy. It is equipped with advanced technologies such as stealth capabilities, long-range guns, and integrated power systems.
The Zumwalt-class destroyer is the most advanced class of stealth guided missile destroyers in the United States Navy. It is designed for multi-mission capabilities, including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and naval fire support. The destroyer possesses advanced technologies that provide it with superior firepower, endurance, and survivability on the battlefield.

Length: 610 ft (186 m)

Beam: 88.6 ft (27 m)

Draft: 27.6 ft (8.4 m)

Displacement: 15,995 tons (full load)

Speed: 30+ knots
Zumwalt-class destroyer in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most advanced military technology
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6
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U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Patrick Reilly · Public domain

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

This is one of the most advanced destroyers in the world, developed by the United States Navy. It is equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is a class of guided missile destroyers built for the United States Navy. It is an advanced and highly capable surface combatant, designed to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.

Length: 505 ft (154 m)

Beam: 66 ft (20 m)

Draft: 31 ft (9.45 m)

Displacement: 9,200 tons (full load)

Speed: 30+ knots
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31
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海防先锋 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Type 052D destroyer

This is the most advanced destroyer developed by the Chinese Navy. It is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems.
The Type 052D destroyer is a highly advanced guided-missile destroyer designed and built by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China. It is one of the most capable destroyers in the PLAN's fleet.

Displacement: 7,500 tons

Length: 157 meters

Beam: 17 meters

Speed: 30+ knots

Crew: 280-300
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15
votes
U.S. Navy · Public domain

Sejong the Great-class destroyer

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)

This is the most advanced destroyer developed by the South Korean Navy. It is equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems.
The Sejong the Great-class destroyer is a class of guided-missile destroyers built for the Republic of Korea Navy. This destroyer class is considered one of the most advanced and capable destroyers in the world.

Displacement: 11,000 tons

Length: 165 m (541 ft)

Beam: 21.4 m (70 ft)

Draft: 6.25 m (20.5 ft)

Propulsion: Combined gas turbine electric and gas (COGAG) propulsion system
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7
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https://www.flickr.com/people/42274124@N05/ Michael Davies · CC BY 2.0

Horizon-class destroyer

This is an advanced destroyer developed by France and Italy. It is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems.
The Horizon-class destroyer is a highly advanced naval vessel designed for multi-purpose operations. With its state-of-the-art technology and advanced capabilities, it represents a new era in naval warfare. The destroyer is known for its exceptional speed, stealth capabilities, and long-range firepower.

Length: 152.87 meters

Beam: 20.3 meters

Draft: 5.3 meters

Displacement: 7,050 tons

Speed: over 29 knots
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16
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Sengoku2501 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Atago-class destroyer

This is an advanced destroyer developed by Japan. It is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems.
The Atago-class destroyer is a class of guided missile destroyers operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). These destroyers are the most advanced surface combatants in Japan's fleet and are designed for multi-purpose operations, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.

Displacement: Approximately 10,000 tons

Length: 165.0 m

Beam: 21.2 m

Draft: 6.2 m

Speed: 30+ knots
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9
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日本防衛省・統合幕僚監部 · CC BY 4.0

Type 055 destroyer

This is an advanced destroyer developed by the Chinese Navy. It is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems.
The Type 055 destroyer is a class of guided missile destroyers built for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It represents the most advanced and powerful surface combatant vessel in the Chinese fleet.

Beam: 20 meters

Draft: 6.6 meters

Speed: over 30 knots

Crew: over 300 personnel

Displacement: 12,000-13,000 tons
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5
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Bukvoed · CC BY 2.5

Daring-class destroyer

This is an advanced destroyer developed by the United Kingdom. It is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems.
The Daring-class destroyer is a class of advanced guided missile destroyers developed primarily for the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. These destroyers are highly capable multi-role vessels designed to perform a wide range of naval operations.

Displacement: 8,000 tons

Length: 152.4 meters (500 ft)

Beam: 21.2 meters (69 ft)

Draft: 7.4 meters (24 ft)

Propulsion: Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) turbines with two shafts
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15
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Sachsen-class destroyer

Blohm+Voss and the German Navy

This is an advanced destroyer developed by Germany. It is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems.
The Sachsen-class destroyer, also known as the Type 124, is a highly advanced class of guided-missile destroyers. It was developed by the German naval shipbuilder Blohm+Voss and the German Navy. The class consists of three ships: FGS Sachsen, FGS Hamburg, and FGS Hessen.

Displacement: approx. 5,800 tons

Length: 143 meters

Beam: 17.4 meters

Draft: 6.1 meters

Speed: approx. 30 knots
10

7
votes
Royal Netherlands Navy / Koninklijke Marine · Attribution

De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate

This is an advanced destroyer developed by the Netherlands. It is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems.
The De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate is a class of highly advanced guided missile frigates designed for the Royal Netherlands Navy. It is a multi-purpose ship capable of carrying out various naval missions. The frigate incorporates cutting-edge technologies to ensure superior performance and survivability on the battlefield.

Displacement: 6,050 tons

Length: 144 meters

Beam: 18 meters

Speed: 30+ knots

Range: 5,000 nautical miles
De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most advanced frigate in the world

Missing your favorite destroyer?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for advanced destroyer

Stealth capabilities

Advanced destroyers should have a low radar cross-section and employ other stealth technologies to minimize their detectability by enemy radar systems.
Sensors and surveillance systems

State-of-the-art radar, sonar, and electro-optical systems are essential for advanced destroyers to detect, track, and engage enemy targets effectively, both on the surface and underwater.
Electronic warfare capabilities

Advanced destroyers should be capable of conducting electronic warfare to disrupt enemy communications, jam enemy sensors, and protect themselves from electronic attacks.
Integrated command and control systems

Advanced destroyers should feature modern combat management systems, which can integrate and process data from various sensors and weapon systems, allowing the crew to make rapid and informed decisions.
Interoperability

Advanced destroyers should be able to work effectively with other assets, such as aircraft, submarines, and other surface vessels within a naval task force.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most advanced destroyer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Destroyer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1615 views
185 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Destroyer once every 24 hours. The rank of each Destroyer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most advanced destroyer

When it comes to naval warfare, destroyers play a crucial role in protecting a country's maritime interests. These warships are designed to operate in a variety of environments, from coastal waters to high seas, and have the capability to engage in a range of combat scenarios. Over the years, advancements in technology have led to the development of more advanced destroyers, with each generation surpassing the previous one in terms of speed, firepower, and stealth capabilities. Currently, the most advanced destroyer in the world is considered to be the United States Navy's Zumwalt-class destroyer, which boasts state-of-the-art technologies such as an advanced radar system and an integrated power system. However, other nations such as China and Russia are also investing heavily in their destroyer programs, with the aim of challenging American naval supremacy in the coming years.