China’s 1st Type 075 amphibious assault ship casts off to sea trials

The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) new Type 075 amphibious assault ship (LHD) has headed out for sea trials according to the footage emerging on local social media.

The Type 075 landing helicopter dock (LHD) was launched by Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in September 2019.

The new class of ship builds upon the smaller Type 071 landing platform dock (LPD) which is already in service with the People’s Liberation Army (Navy).

Estimates show the ship displaces up to 40,000 tons, coming close to US Navy’s Wasp- and America-class amphibious ships that can operate over 20 aircraft.

A second Type 075 ship is already under construction while a third one is expected to be even larger than its predecessors.