China Launches 2nd Giant Amphibious Warfare Ship

22 April, 2020

The Type 075 ships are among the largest amphibious assault ships in the world

China on Wednesday launched the second ship of its Type 075 class of amphibious assault warships at a shipyard in Shanghai. The first ship of the class was launched in September last year.

Amphibious assault ships are meant to launch troops, tanks, helicopters and other equipment to land on and capture enemy coastal areas during combat. They are also capable of rendering humanitarian assistance during natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes.

The Type 075 class of ships are among the largest amphibious assault ships in the world, weighing approximately 40,000 tonnes and are about 250 metres long. The ship has a large flight deck, enabling it to carry up to 30 transport and attack helicopters and also a ‘well deck’ in its hull, which allows it to launch hovercraft and other amphibious vessels capable of ferrying tanks and troops to shore.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Type 075 provides “China with greater capabilities for asserting their territorial claims in the East and South China Sea, as well as executing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, anti-piracy, and non-combatant evacuation operations”. Experts have warned China is improving its amphibious warfare capability to prepare for the eventuality of military operations in Taiwan or disputed islands in the South China Sea.

Reporting on the launch of the new amphibious assault ship on Wednesday, China’s state-run Global Times quoted experts as saying, “amphibious assault ships mainly conduct vertical deployment and landing missions on islands and reefs like the island of Taiwan and those in the South China Sea. These warships with large flat flight deck can transport troops vertically via helicopters much faster than using only horizontal means… They can also operate together with aircraft carriers, letting the carriers seize air superiority as they transport troops, tanks, and armour vehicles to land, significantly improving the Chinese Navy’s combat capability as a comprehensive system”.

The South China Morning Post reported in August 2019 that China could build up to three Type 075 ships. Earlier in April, the first Type 075 caught fire while equipment was being fitted on it at the shipyard in Shanghai. However, Chinese state media reported the fire would have no impact on the progress of the ship’s construction.

Courtesy: theweek.in