Guided Missile Destroyers

Guided Missile Destroyers are the modern incarnation of destroyers. Highly advanced warships capable of fulfilling most fleet roles, from escort work to anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, they are the mainstay of most modern fleets. Developed in the early Cold War as missile technology improved, destroyers are now regarded as the global standard for surface combat ships. Their size has grown considerably from destroyers in the first half of the 20^th century to resemble that of cruisers from that era. However, their firepower and capabilities far exceed those of the older ships.

Some modern destroyers are even larger than earlier guided missile cruisers and some are large and powerful enough to be defined as cruisers by some sources. Since some NATO navies use the term “frigate” to describe their destroyers, this can lead to a lot of confusion. I’ve tried to clear this up where possible and define destroyers by what qualifies them as such on an international level, rather than a nation-specific definition. Destroyers are one of the most prevalent and recognisable modern warships and will likely continue to remain the primary surface combatants of most navies for many years to come.