China has launched its first next-generation amphibious assault ship, marking a significant addition to the country’s rapidly growing navy as it strives to match the military strength of the United States. The Type 076 amphibious assault ship was launched on Friday during a ceremony at a shipyard in Shanghai, according to a statement from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Named Sichuan, after a southwestern Chinese province, the ship is considered a “key asset” in advancing the Navy’s modernization efforts and improving its long-range operational capabilities, the statement added.
Already possessing the largest naval force in the world, China is rapidly constructing aircraft carriers and large warships, aiming to project power well beyond its borders and close the gap with US military dominance.
With a full-load displacement exceeding 40,000 tons, the Type 076 is among the largest amphibious assault ships globally. It features a twin-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck, as reported by the PLAN. A standout feature of the ship is its electromagnetic catapult system, which enables it to launch both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, along with amphibious equipment typically found on such ships. This system allows the Type 076 to launch larger and heavier aircraft than it would be able to without it.
The improved capacity means these aircraft can carry more fuel, extending both their range and the ship’s operational reach. Additionally, they can carry more munitions, increasing their combat effectiveness.
The only other warship currently using an electromagnetic catapult system is the USS Gerald R. Ford, the latest aircraft carrier of the US Navy. China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, currently undergoing sea trials and not yet commissioned, also features an electromagnetic catapult system.
The US Navy’s amphibious assault ships use the F-35B, a short-takeoff and vertical landing variant of the stealth fighter jet used across the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. While the PLA Navy does not yet have a manned aircraft similar to the F-35B, it may deploy the same fixed-wing aircraft as those on the Fujian.
However, a report earlier this year from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggests that the Type 076 could serve as a major drone platform. The CSIS report indicates that if the Type 076 is focused on unmanned systems, its air wing could be highly effective. China has developed a significant and growing fleet of UAVs, including the GJ-11 stealth combat drone, WZ-7 reconnaissance drone, and CASC Rainbow strike UCAV, among others.
The Type 076 is also expected to carry helicopters and amphibious landing craft capable of deploying over 1,000 marines. The CSIS report notes that the ship’s large size allows it to carry more of everything compared to China’s smaller Type 075 amphibious assault ships, the US Navy’s America-class ships, and Japan’s Izumo-class helicopter carriers, which are being modified to carry the F-35B.
Carl Schuster, a military analyst and former US Navy captain, commented that the Type 076’s size makes a strong statement about China’s focus on expeditionary and amphibious warfare and its growing capability in these areas. Schuster noted that the ship’s development highlights the competition between China and the United States, two of the world’s largest naval powers.
He also pointed out that the Type 076 reflects China’s expanding maritime power projection abilities, especially as the US Navy has reduced its focus and capacity for expeditionary, amphibious, and humanitarian missions.