China’s Yushen-class (Type 075) amphibious assault ships epitomize the rapid expansion of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) expeditionary capabilities and provide unprecedented power projection to support China’s interests afloat and ashore. The class can transport and deploy significant numbers of troops and equipment via extensive aviation facilities, a large flight deck, and a sizable well deck. Following on the heels of the 25,000-ton eight-ship Yuzhao-class (Type 071) amphibious transport docks (see “Amphibious Assault Plan,”), the Type 075s began entering service in 2021.
At Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, construction on the first Type 075 kicked off in 2018 and progressed at a remarkable pace. First-in-class Hainan carries pennant number 31. She was launched in September 2019 and commissioned in April 2021. Sister Guangxi, numbered 32, was launched in April 2020 and commissioned in December 2021. The third unit of the class, the Anhui, is numbered 33 and was launched in January 2021 and commissioned in October 2022. A fourth sister was launched in December 2023. Additional Type 075 units, or possibly a more advanced follow-on called the Type 076, are likely planned for the future.
The Type 075 displaces 35,000 tons and measures around 780 feet long with a 118-foot beam and 27-foot draft. A roughly 740-foot by 118-foot flight deck hosts six helicopter landing spots portside and a seventh smaller area starboard, likely for drones. A stern elevator can transfer two medium helicopters between the hangar and flight deck, and a smaller forward elevator can lift one. Roughly 30 rotary-wing aircraft can be carried, including a mix of Z-8, Z-18, and Z-20 transport helicopters, as well as unmanned drones and potentially attack helicopters. At least for the foreseeable future, this class is not expected to operate fixed-wing vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft.
The Type 075s feature extensive medical and hospital facilities and function as amphibious fleet flag ships. Crew complement is thought to number around 1,100. These warships reportedly can transport between 800 and 1,200 marines, although some sources indicate that number may be as high as 1,600. A well deck, estimated to measure roughly 260- to 300-feet long, can accommodate two to three Yuyi (Type 726) air-cushion landing craft or more traditional landing craft utility. An array of ground equipment and vehicles, ranging from trucks and amphibious assault vehicles to artillery and main battle tanks, can be carried and deployed via the well deck.
Onboard sensors include the H/LJQ-382 3D long-range air-search radar, an active-phased array radar, an approach radar, and a shipboard electronic warfare suite with electronic support measures, electronic countermeasures, and decoy launchers. Self-defense weapons include two 24-tube HHQ-10 short-range surface-to-air missile launchers, two 11-barrel 30-mm H/PJ-14 close-in weapon systems for point defense, and anti-swimmer/antisabotage rocket launchers. Propulsion is provided by four diesels powering two screws, enabling a top speed of about 24 knots.
