Guangxi (32) sailing in 2022.
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Builders | Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding |
Operators | People's Liberation Army Navy |
Preceded by | Type 071 amphibious transport dock |
Succeeded by | Type 076 landing helicopter dock |
Built | 2018–present [2] |
In service | 2021–present [1] |
Planned | 8 [4] |
Building | 1 [5] |
Completed | 3 |
Active | 3 [3] |
General characteristics | |
Type | Amphibious assault ship |
Displacement | 30,000 to 40,000 tons [6] |
Length | 232 m (761 ft) [7] |
Beam | 36.8 m (121 ft) [7] |
Boats & landing craft carried | 2 × Type 726 Yuyi class LCAC [8] |
Capacity | 60 armoured fighting vehicle [8] |
Troops | 800 troops [8] |
Armament | |
Aircraft carried | 28 helicopters [8] |
Aviation facilities | Hangar deck |
The Type 075 landing helicopter dock ( NATO reporting name: Yushen-class landing helicopter assault [10]) is a class of Chinese amphibious assault ships built by Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). [2] It has a full-length flight deck for helicopter operations [11] and features a floodable well deck from which to disembark hovercraft and armored amphibious assault vehicles. [12]
The Marine Design and Research Institute of China (708 Institute) of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation began design work in 2011. [6] Debate over the desired result may have continued into 2016. Reportedly, the Central Military Commission Equipment Development Department favored a smaller design than the final Type 075, effectively an enlarged Type 071 amphibious transport dock, possibly due to concerns that the existing propulsion plant was insufficient for a larger ship. Ultimately, the PLAN's desire for an LHA prevailed. [13] Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding received the contract in 2018 and construction began that year. [2]
Images of Hainan, the first ship, [14] under construction in drydock appeared by June 2019. [15] She suffered a minor fire while fitting out in April 2020 which did not slow construction. [16] Hainan commissioned on 23 April 2021 [1] and reached initial operating capability in March 2022. [3]
In November 2022, The PLAN announced that the first two ships were combat ready. [17]
The flight deck is 226 meters long and 36 meters wide. There are seven flight spots - six along the port side and one aft of the island. [18] The forward aircraft elevator can carry one medium helicopter with rotors folded; the stern elevator is larger and can carry Changhe Z-8 helicopters with rotors folded. [19] Two weapons elevators are located on the forward flight deck. [20] The hangar may be 150 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 6 meters high. The ship may operate 20-35 aircraft. [19]
The well deck and vehicle deck are one continuous space. [21] The well deck has a 20 meter wide gate and may be 80-90 meters long, sufficient for two or three Type 726 LCACs. [22] The vehicle deck is large enough for a PLAN Marine Corps amphibious mechanized infantry company plus additional platoon-sized tank or artillery elements. An opening on each side allows roll-on/roll-off access to the vehicle deck. [23]
Pennant number | Name | Namesake | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fleet | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
31 [1] | Hainan [1] | Province of Hainan |
Hudong-Zhonghua, Shanghai [2] |
25 September 2019 [1] | 23 April 2021 [1] | South Sea Fleet [24] | Active |
32 [1] | Guangxi [1] | Autonomous Region of Guangxi | 22 April 2020 [1] | April 2022 [1] | East Sea Fleet [24] | Active | |
33 [1] | Anhui [1] | Province of Anhui | 29 January 2021 [25] | 1 October 2022 [3] | Active | ||
TBA | TBA | TBA | 14 December 2023 [26] | Fitting out [5] |