China has now unveiled its massive Type 076 amphibious assault ship named Sichuan. This comes after the reported debut of its alleged sixth-generation fighter jets.
Launched on December 27, the vessel is touted as the largest of its kind globally, marking a major advancement in China’s naval strength.
The ship, named Sichuan after the southwestern province of China, was ceremoniously launched at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard located on Changxing Island in Shanghai. The vessel, with hull number “51,” has been under construction since at least October 2023.
The launch ceremony was attended by high-ranking officers from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy), representatives from the Sichuan provincial government, executives from China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), and designers and construction workers who worked on the project.
According to the PLA Navy’s official statement, the Sichuan boasts a full displacement of over 40,000 tons. It features cutting-edge technology, including twin island superstructures and advanced electromagnetic catapults with arresting gear, enabling the launch and recovery of fixed-wing aircraft.
The ship is designed to carry a combination of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and amphibious equipment and is expected to serve as a key player in China’s maritime defense strategy.
The Sichuan’s air wing is anticipated to include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAVs).
In June 2024, mockups of the GJ-11 Sharp Sword UCAV or its variants were spotted at a nearby test site on Changxing Island, indicating that drones are likely to play a role in the vessel’s operations.
The Sichuan will now undergo outfitting and fine-tuning of its equipment, followed by mooring tests and sea trials in the coming months, the PLA Navy said.
In addition to the Type 076, the PLA Navy currently operates three Type 075 amphibious assault ships named after various provinces: Hainan, Guangxi, and Anhui.
These vessels, also built at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, have a displacement of nearly 40,000 tons and are capable of carrying helicopters, landing craft, tanks, and armored vehicles.
Capabilities Of The Massive Vessel
The launching ceremony of this vessel is an important development in China’s growing naval power, with the PLA Navy stating that the Sichuan will grow its capacity for amphibious operations, power projection, and quick responses in the region.
As EurAsian Times previously reported, the Sichuan is the first amphibious assault ship in the world to incorporate electromagnetic launch technology. This allows it to carry helicopters and fighter jets such as the J-15.
Experts note that this system increases the efficiency and speed of launches, granting the Type 076 superior air superiority and land assault capabilities. The electromagnetic launch system is also featured on China’s Fujian aircraft carrier, which debuted in 2022 to improve aircraft takeoff frequency.
Speaking to Global Times, Chinese military analyst Song Zhongping explained that, compared to the Type 075 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan is larger and has a greater capacity to carry both manned and unmanned aerial platforms, making it almost akin to a light aircraft carrier.
Meanwhile, there are no indications that China is currently developing crewed short or vertical takeoff and landing jets for use on the Type 076.
The Pentagon’s latest report on Chinese military advancements, released earlier this month, also suggests the Sichuan will likely feature a hybrid electric propulsion system and electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) designed to launch large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for strike and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The report highlights the ship’s potential to enhance China’s sea control capabilities through UAV operations.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has indicated that the Type 076 will provide the PLA with more flexible combat power projection, particularly in the Western Pacific, South China Sea, and beyond.
Furthermore, the launch event of the Sichuan provided a closer look at the vessel’s twin-island configuration, a design tailored for advanced aviation operations. This layout separates responsibilities, with one island dedicated to navigation and general functions while the other focuses solely on managing flight activities.
Such a design is especially beneficial for handling a drone-heavy air wing, where efficient aircraft management on the flight deck and in the air is crucial.
The event also highlighted the Sichuan’s formidable close-in defense systems. These include at least three HQ-10 surface-to-air missile launchers positioned at the stern and atop the forward island, three Type 1130 close-in weapon systems with two on either side of the hull and one at the stern, and what appears to be four 32-tube defensive launchers with two on each side of the hull.
Together, these systems provide powerful protection against aerial and surface threats to fortify the vessel’s survivability in high-risk environments.
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