China has launched its second Type 075 helicopter assault ship, even as the first ship continues fitting out following its own launching a little more than six months ago.
The yet-unnamed ship entered the water at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard belonging to China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in Shanghai yesterday afternoon local time and will be fitted out next to the first ship, which was launched in September 2019.
The Type 075 is roughly analogous, if slightly smaller compared to the U.S. Navy’s Wasp-class landing helicopter dock. Measuring 237 metres in length and believed to displace some 35,000 to 40,000 tons fully loaded, the Type 075s will be the most capable amphibious vessels operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
The ship features a large flight deck capable of handling five to six large transport helicopters taking off and preparing for flight simultaneously. It also has space for more helicopters in its hangar belowdecks, with some reports suggesting that a maximum of 28-30 helicopters can be carried.
Th ship’s well dock is expected to be able to accommodate multiple conventionally powered and/or air-cushioned Type 726 landing craft for conventional amphibious landings.
According to local media, the construction of both ships have been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first ship would be further delayed by a fire that broke out belowdecks two weeks ago, although the level of damage inside is unclear and the exterior smoke damage was removed practically overnight.
Even accounting for any delays, it nevertheless represents a staggering rate of build by the shipyard, particularly given that the facility has launched two and commissioned a third 25,000-ton Type 071 Landing Platform Dock for the PLAN since 2018 and built several other smaller ships in the meantime.
It’s unknown how many Type 075s China plans to eventually operate, although some reports suggested at least three such ships will be built.
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