China continues its rapid naval modernization as its “new-generation amphibious assault ship”—designed to project power from sea to shore—began its first round of sea trials.
The Chinese military said CNS Sichuan, the first Chinese Type 076 amphibious assault ship, departed Shanghai on Friday. The 44,000-plus-ton warship is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult and a full-length flight deck to operate fixed-wing aircraft.
Why It Matters
China operates the world’s largest navy by number of vessels, with more than 370 ships and submarines—including three aircraft carriers and four Type 075 amphibious assault ships that precede the Type 076—according to the Pentagon. The fast-growing Chinese fleet enables Beijing to expand its military reach across the Pacific beyond East Asia.
Amphibious warships, which carry ground and aviation forces for landing operations, are key naval units for the Chinese military; the country faces sovereignty disputes over maritime features in the South China Sea and is preparing for a potential invasion of Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by Communist China across the Taiwan Strait.
What To Know
Following its departure from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in eastern China, the Sichuan is scheduled to test and verify the reliability and stability of its power, electrical and other systems at sea during its first navigation test mission, the Chinese military said.
The vessel, named after the southwestern Chinese province, was launched in December last year. The Chinese military said on Friday that the ship has steadily advanced in its construction as planned, including completing mooring tests and equipment installation.
Satellite imagery of the shipyard captured on October 28 shows eight newly painted triangular deck markings for launching and recovering aircraft on the Sichuan‘s flight deck, according to Colorado-based geospatial intelligence firm AllSource Analysis.
The Type 076 vessel has an advanced design, as it is the world’s first amphibious warship equipped with an electromagnetic catapult—similar to China’s most-advanced aircraft carrier CNS Fujian—and arresting gear, the defense outlet Naval News said.
While the Sichuan is capable of operating fixed-wing aircraft—Naval News said this refers to drones—it remains unclear whether this includes manned aircraft such as the J-35 fighter jet. The ship also carries helicopters and amphibious vehicles.
Images released by the Chinese military do not show any aircraft on the Sichuan‘s flight deck as it departed the shipyard for sea testing on Friday morning local time.
The United States operates a fleet of amphibious assault ships—America-class and Wasp-class—that lack catapults and arresting gear. However, they can carry F-35B stealth fighter jets, which are capable of short takeoff and vertical landing from ships.
What People Are Saying
Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said in January: “It is a common practice for countries around the world to develop weapons and equipment in accordance with their national defense needs.”
The Pentagon’s Chinese military power report 2024 commented: “An even larger expeditionary ship, the [Type 076 amphibious assault ship] is expected to join the fleet in the second half of the decade and provide additional sea control via catapult-launched [unmanned aerial vehicles].”
What Happens Next
It remains unclear whether China will build additional Type 076 vessels to bolster its amphibious fleet and enhance its sea control capability.
