An intended update to the German line of Zerstörer 1936 class the C type were an overhaul of destroyer development doctrine with a greater focus on anti-air defense. Armed with new dual-purpose twin 128mm guns and a greater number of smaller caliber anti-air armaments Z46 and her sister ship Z47 would have been modern destroyers capable of meeting the changing nature of naval warfare but by the end of the war remained incomplete.