Why do modern Chinese destroyers follow the Arleigh Burke appearance rather than the Type 45 layout?
Short answerTheir silhouettes follow the needs of their radar and weapons; similar system requirements produce similar ship forms.
NotesBurkes and the Type 052 and Type 055 families have forms that support their chosen radars and weapons. Type 45 supports a different sensor arrangement with a different superstructure. The functional requirement comes first in this explanation. Similar silhouettes therefore do not establish that a navy chose an appearance and fitted the combat system afterward.