Why the Type 83 must exceed the Type 45

Will the Type 83 be a full capital-scale combatant, and what capabilities would justify it?

Type 83 is expected to be a major general-purpose combatant with substantially more air-defense and land-attack capacity than the upgraded Type 45, potentially around 120 missiles.

The likely Type 83 is derived from an improving baseline rather than a fixed hull proposal. Type 45 upgrades and expanded Type 26 capabilities mean their successor must be markedly more powerful to justify a new designation. A general-purpose Type 83 would combine at least the Type 45's air-defense load with greater land-attack capacity. That suggests a large combatant with roughly 120 missiles, although the exact design depends on how requirements evolve.