In naval terminology, a destroyer (French: "contre-torpilleur", German: "ZerstOrer",
Spanish: "destructor", Italian: "cacciatorpediniere", Russian: Esminets (Escadrilny
minonosets) - is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort
larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range
attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). At the beginning of
the 21st century, destroyers are the heaviest surface combatants in general use, with
only two nations (the United States and Russia) operating cruisers and none operating
battleships.[1] Modern destroyers are equivalent in tonnage and drastically superior in
firepower to cruisers of the World War II era, capable of carrying nuclear missiles able
to destroy cities in a very small volley.
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