China’s first Type 076 next-gen amphibious assault ship hits the water

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has launched its first Type 076 new-generation amphibious assault ship.

As informed, the vessel was floated out in Shanghai today (December 27, 2024). It was named after southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Sichuan.

The new amphibious assault ship received hull number 51, according to Chinese officials.

Sichuan has a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tonnes and features a dual-island superstructure along with a full-length flight deck.

The vessel comes equipped with electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technologies, enabling it to carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and amphibious equipment.

After the ship’s launch, equipment commissioning, mooring tests, and navigation tests will be carried out as planned.

“As the new-generation amphibious assault ship of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, it plays a key role in advancing the Navy’s transformation and enhancing its combat capabilities in the far seas,” the navy emphasized.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison mobilized some of its army, naval, and air forces to conduct the fourth joint patrol of the year. The exercise focused on the troops’ combat capabilities of emergency response, joint operations, as well as special situation handling.

The joint patrol involved multiple services and arms such as army infantries, naval vessels, and army helicopters and focused on air and sea patrol, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), joint control of sea areas, emergency rescue and repair, etc

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