Type 075 can carry more helicopters than the Type 071, in combination with high-speed boats that can deploy troops quickly on attacking missions.
Introduce
China’s first amphibious assault ship has been launched, Type-075 is the first step in Beijing’s ambition to build a green amphibious force. The launching ceremony of the first Type-075 assault landing ship took place on September 25, 2019 at Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai. After launching, shipyard engineers and workers will begin to install radars, weapons and system calibrations before testing.
The Global Times quoted Chinese military experts praising the importance of the launch of Type-075, saying that “it represents a new era for the development of warships in China”.
The Type-075 assault amphibious ship, also known as the landing helicopter dock, is the second largest and most complex Chinese-built project, second only to its aircraft carrier project.
Design
Military experts estimate that the Type-075 has a displacement of about 40,000 tons, equivalent to the American Wasp-class amphibious assault ship. Some others estimate only 30,000 to 35,000 tons. Either way, it is an impressive warship, outperforming its rivals in Asia.
Western analysts have expressed concern over China’s Type-075 amphibious assault project, especially when considering Beijing’s strategic goals and their territorial disputes with countries in the region. Territorial disputes with Japan in the Senkaku Islands as well as Beijing’s irrational claim in the South China Sea will also be supported by such high-level amphibious forces. Ships can also be used to resupply the islands in a potential crisis.
In modern naval warfare, large and long deck amphibious assault ships are used for helicopter deployments, fighter jets with the ability to short take-off and vertical-landing are extremely important. Besides being able to quickly transport a fast-responding task force to hot spots that old forms could hardly meet.
Another advantage of these landing helicopter docks is that it also plays the role of light aircraft carrier when necessary. Recognizing the advantages of such design type, in 2017, China decided to embark on building a ship to equip its navy, forming the Type 075 class.
According to preliminary information, Type 075-class amphibious assault ships will be 237m in length, 43m in beam and 8.5m in draft. The overall design of the ship is quite harmonious, with an island on the starboard side, the front of the flight deck is ostentatiously blocky and square. The island superstructure area is home to sensors, processing systems, and common communications. It is unclear what radar systems and sensors will be installed on this ship.
The Type 075 at launch appeared to have 2 large stern elevator, connecting the hangar deck and flight deck, allowing the aircraft to be brought up or lowered as needed. At the rear of the hull is a loading area with a well deck and stern gate. The well deck is a large, open area located at the waterline of ships that can be flooded using ballast tanks to allow smaller water craft to enter and leave the ship.
Type 075 still uses conventional engines instead of installing nuclear reactors. The ship can reach speeds of up to 23 knots, can keep up with the People’s Liberation Army Navy surface fleet.
Combat capacity
The Type 075 is expected to be able to transport 30 attack or transport helicopters, marines, air cushioned ships, armored vehicles and even small submarines. In theory, China’s Type 075 landing helicopter dock will not be able to carry fighters and China does not have any capable fighter aircraft like the F-35B.
However, with the ability to carry such a number of helicopters, it is clear that Type 075’s sea combat capability is very dangerous. In the future China will certainly try to develop a fighter line similar to US F-35B to deploy on board, it could be the J-26 fighter that the Chinese Navy mentioned earlier.
Observing the published graphic images, it is easy to recognize that the J-26 uses an engine capable of rotating the exhaust downwards to create thrust similar to the engine of the F-35B. This is the Prerequisites for the aircraft to be able to operate on an amphibious assault ship.
Self-defense capacity
The onboard weaponry is fully self-defense, with two 30mm H/PJ-11 digitally-controlled Close-In Weapon Systems and two HHQ-10 Surface-to-Air Missile launchers. When operational, the Type 075 will be protected by the accompanying fleet, allowing it to focus on its own battlefield role.
Will the Type 075 be on par with the US Wasp class?
China believes that, once J-26 is officially equipped, the Type 075 will possess the power equivalent to the US Wasp class. Unlike the domestic aircraft carriers, there is very little information or images related to the status of the Type 075. Currently, the Chinese Hudong shipyard is constructing two amphibious ships, the Type 075 and the Type 071, both vessels are currently in the final stages.
Song Zhongping, a military commentator in Hong Kong, said that the Type 075, after being commissioned, would significantly increase China’s amphibious combat capability. According to him, the Type 075 can carry more helicopters than the Type 071, in combination with high-speed boats that can deploy troops quickly on attacking missions.
Observers say the launch of the ship does not mean the Type 075 will soon go into operation because of the need to add more control systems, weapons, radar, etc., before starting to sea trial. The Chinese Navy has reportedly ordered three Type 075s.
Thank you for visiting Military-wiki.com. I’m Dung Tran, the person behind all this content. I know some websites are copying my articles. Stop this, or at least respect me by citing the source from Military-wiki.com. Thank you.
