Chinese PLA Navy Type 075 amphibious assault ship completes maiden sea trials.

According to footage and photos published on Chinese websites, China’s first Type 075 amphibious assault ship completed an 18-day maiden sea trial and returned to its shipyard in Shanghai last Sunday. The warship is expected to join the Chinese navy’s marines next year, military analysts said.
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Launching of second Type 075 of Chinese Navy. (Picture source: Twitter account Loognaval)

According to a military insider, the amphibious warship is still awaiting the launch of the aircraft it would carry: the naval versions of the Z-8J and Z-20J, which are modified based on the air force’s Z-8 and Z-20 armed helicopters.

The Type 075 may be ready by the end of next year, but the ship-borne Z-20J is still under development

For the record, the first Type 075 vessel was unveiled in September at Hudong-Zhonghua, followed by the second such ship in April. A second Type 075 was simultaneously built in the same dry dock as the first Type 075 and a third Type 075 is now being built in the same location.

Artist impression of Type 075 amphibious assault ship. (Picture source: Wikimedia Commons)

About Type 075 amphibious assault vessel:

The Type 075 (NATO reporting name Yushen-class landing helicopter assault) is a class of Chinese amphibious assault ship under construction by the Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding company. The Type 075 helicopter dock is a new generation of amphibious assault vessel and far larger than similar ships previously constructed for the PLA Navy.

The Type 075 would give the Chinese navy the ability to launch various types of helicopters to attack naval vessels, enemy ground forces, submarines and also be able to deploy landing craft and troops, plus house command and control operations.

Type 075 LHD should be able to deploy and accommodate up to 30 helicopters (Z-8, Z-9, Z-18, Ka-28, Ka-31) with 6 helicopter spots on the flight deck and the main elevator located at the stern.