China launched a new amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, designed to strengthen the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's combat ability in distant seas, on Friday. Capable of launching fighter jets, the ship is named after southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Sichuan, the first ship of the 076 type, is China's largest such ship yet. It has a a full-load displacement capacity of over 40,000 tonnes and is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult which will allow fighter jets to launch directly off its deck.
According to news agency Xinhua, the ship incorporates innovative electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technologies, enabling Sichuan to carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and amphibious equipment. The electromagnetic launching technology, which leads to greater launch efficiency, allows it to carry not only helicopters but also fighter aircraft like the J-15.
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It is designed to launch ground troops in landing crafts and provide them with air support.
The ship will undergo further testing, including sea trials.
China, which has the largest navy in the world, has been modernising PLAN for the past decade, seeking to achieve the capability to operate globally rather than being restricted to waters near the Chinese mainland.
Sichuan, a new generation of amphibious assault ship, is a key equipment to promote the transformation and development of PLAN and enhance its far seas combat capability, according to PLA's official media account.
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Global Times quoted Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, as saying that the large displacement capacity of the assault ship would mean it can carry more weapons and equipment, has a longer range and stronger combat capabilities.
According to Zhang, the ship has excellent amphibious assault capabilities, as it can carry an amphibious combat battalion to quickly reach the target area for landing operations.
