China Building Formidable Amphibious Fleet.

• Author: Tadjdeh, Yasmin

China is bulking up its fleet of amphibious vessels as it embarks on a major naval modernization program to enhance its ability to conduct operations globally. The nation's new platforms include its Yuzhao Type 071 amphibious ship and the Yushenclass Type 075 amphibious assault ship.

Investment in amphibious vessels by the People's Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, signals "its intent to continue to develop its expeditionary warfare capabilities," said the Pentagon's annual China Military Power report "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2020."

The Type 071 and Type 075 will be "the backbone of the future amphibious fleet," said Bryan Clark, director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Defense Concepts and Technology. Beijing's plan "in the near- to mid-term is to continue to build out the fleet with these newer, larger ships."

The Type 071 has an estimated displacement of more than 19,855 tons compared to about 25,900 for the U.S. Navy's San Antonio LPD-17 class amphibious ships, according to a 2021 Congressional Research Service report, "China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress."

China commissioned the lead ship of the Type 075 vessels, the Hainan, in April.

"The Yushen-class are highly capable large-deck amphibious ships that will provide the PLAN with an all-aspect expeditionary capability," the Pentagon's China report said. "The Yushen-class can carry a large number of landing craft, troops, armored vehicles and helicopters."

The vessels have an estimated displacement of 30,000 to 40,000 tons, according to CRS.

The Type 075 measures an estimated 237 meters in length, according to a paper by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "China's New Amphibious Assault Ship Sails into the South China Sea." It is smaller than the U.S. Navy's Wasp- and America-class amphibs but is still one of the largest in the world.

"The Type 075 features a full-length flight deck for helicopter operations, which in time could also serve as a platform for short-takeoff and verticallanding aircraft, should China develop a reliable airframe for that environment," said the report, which was authored by analysts Matthew Funaiole and Joseph Bermudez.

Additionally, a floodable well deck situated in the stern of the vessel allows hovercraft and other vehicles to disembark, it noted.

The vessel will also reportedly be able to carry 900 troops, according to...