“Since the training programme started, the Guangxi has completed all the subjects of training and built up overall operational capability as an amphibious assault platform,” Captain Xu Ce was quoted by China Central Television as saying in another report.
China’s Type 075 ship has a full-length flight deck with room for six helicopters to operate at the same time. Photo: People’s Liberation Army Navy
The ship became fully operational in less than a year – a relatively speedy progression, considering the 40,000-tonne Type 075 is a new class with significant upgrades compared to its predecessor, the 25,000-tonne Type 071 amphibious assault ships.
The Hainan and Guangxi bear hull numbers 31 and 32 and were commissioned in April and December 2021 respectively.
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China’s most advanced amphibious assault ship likely to be deployed in disputed South China Sea
The Type 075 is the largest amphibious assault ship in the service of the Chinese navy, with a full-length flight deck that allows six helicopters to take off at a time. It has the capacity to carry 30 helicopters, including the Chinese-made Z-20 and Z-18 and the Russian-made Ka-52, for anti-submarine, early warning or combat operations.
With seven levels of dock space, the ship can carry 35 amphibious vehicles or three air-cushioned landing craft, along with about 1,000 marines and their equipment. As many as 10 99A main battle tanks, 20 Type 05 armoured infantry vehicles and 50 off-road trucks can also be transported in the massive vessel.
It is widely believed the Type 075 would play a vital role in a potential military campaign against Taiwan. Earlier this month, it was announced that the third ship of the class, the Anhui, had entered service, and it has been reported that the PLA plans to build five more Type 075 ships.
Together with 10 Type 071 ships – eight of which are in service, with two under construction – the PLA Navy would have a strong fleet for transporting its forces across the Taiwan Strait.
The Type 075 is also a key instrument for the Chinese Navy in the South China Sea, the nationalist newspaper Global Times said on Sunday.
The PLA Navy’s unparalleled shipbuilding spree in recent years has made it the world’s largest navy by number of ships, and training and combat preparation have accelerated following orders by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
