China has officially launched its first next-generation amphibious assault ship, aiming to bolster its naval forces as it competes with the military power of the United States.
The Type 076 amphibious assault ship was launched on Friday during a ceremony at a shipyard in Shanghai, as stated by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Named Sichuan after a southwestern province, the ship is regarded as a “key asset” for improving the Navy’s operational capabilities.
As the largest naval force globally, China is rapidly developing carriers and significant warships to extend its influence far beyond its shores and catch up with U.S. military supremacy.
With a full-load displacement exceeding 40,000 tons, the Type 076 is among the world’s largest of its kind, featuring a twin-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck. Notably, it incorporates an electromagnetic catapult system, which enables it to launch fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and amphibious equipment. This technology allows for the deployment of larger and heavier aircraft, enhancing the platform’s overall operational range and munition capacity.
Currently, only the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier employs an electromagnetic catapult system. China’s Fujian aircraft carrier, still in sea trials, is also equipped with this advanced system.
While U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships utilize F-35B stealth fighter jets, which are capable of short takeoff and vertical landing, the PLA Navy lacks a direct equivalent. However, it may use the same fixed-wing aircraft as the Fujian.
According to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Type 076 could serve as a significant drone platform, capable of hosting an advanced air wing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). China has an expanding arsenal of UAVs, including the GJ-11 stealth drone and the WZ-7 reconnaissance drone.
The CSIS report also anticipates that the Type 076 will carry helicopters and amphibious landing craft, capable of deploying over 1,000 marines, enhancing its operational versatility compared to China’s smaller Type 075 amphibious ships and the U.S. Navy’s America-class assault ships.
Military analyst Carl Schuster emphasized the significance of the ship’s size, stating it demonstrates the PLA Navy’s commitment to expeditionary and amphibious warfare. He noted that China’s expanding maritime capabilities come at a time when the U.S. Navy’s ability to conduct similar operations has diminished.
“This showcases China’s growing power projection abilities amid the evolving competition between the two largest naval forces in the world,” Schuster added.
Credit: CNN
