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Much attention has been put on the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN’s) growing fleet of aircraft carriers, with the third set to enter service by the end of this year, and Beijing’s ambitions to operate as many as six carriers by the mid-2030s. Last month China also launched its first “next-generation amphibious assault ship.”

On Sunday, PLAN commander Chi Jianjun told state broadcaster CCTV that the Type 076 warship could be a dedicated drone carrier. According to a report from The South China Morning Post, Chi, the commander of the Type 055 stealth guided-missile destroyer Nanchang, ­said the newly launched flattop could serve in the special role, operating a variety of unmanned systems.

“It’s not just us destroyers. Aircraft carriers, the newly launched Type 076, the earlier Type 075 [amphibious assault ship], and other vessels are and will all be involved. Uncrewed operations are an undeniable trend in modern warfare,” Chi explained.

The Type 076­: What Do We Know?

The newly launched Type 076 warship, named Sichuan after the southwestern province, reportedly displaces more than 40,000 tons—putting it on par with the U.S. Navy’s America-class amphibious assault ships. It is also similar in size to the Maritime Nationale’s (French Navy’s) flagship Charles de Gaulle and India’s INS Vikramaditya, both fixed-wing aircraft carriers.

According to a statement from the PLAN, Sichuan “is equipped with a double island superstructure and a full longitudinal flight deck, and innovatively applies electromagnetic catapult and arresting technology. It can carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, amphibious equipment, etc. After the ship is launched, equipment commissioning, mooring tests, and navigation tests will be carried out as planned.”

The electromagnetic catapult will enable the Type 076 class vessel to operate with larger, heavier aircraft, possibly even fixed-wing fighters in a pinch. By comparison, the United States Navy’s amphibious assault ships operate with short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) fixed-wing aircraft like the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II or Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.

Though only launched last month, a Chinese military expert was cited as suggesting that Sichuan could enter service by as early as late 2026, ­highlighting the rapid expansion of the PLAN.

China’s Amphibious Ambitions

The Type 076 could be seen as a significant “great leap forward” for the PLAN from the Type 075—of which three are in service, while a fourth was launched in December 2023.

The Type 076 amphibious assault ship is fitted with a full-length flight deck and is equipped with multiple large elevators, as well as an internal hanger that could likely accommodate a small number of fixed-wing manned aircraft or multiple drones.

“If it is limited to unmanned systems, the Type 076’s air wing will be highly capable. China boasts an advanced and growing arsenal of UAVs, including the GJ-11 stealth combat drone, the WZ-7 reconnaissance drone, and the CASC Rainbow strike UCAV, among others,” warned an August report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

In addition to the drones, the Chinese warship could carrier amphibious landing craft, which each could deploy around 1,000 marines.

“Amphibious assault ships are likely to play a critical role for the PLA in any conflict across the Taiwan Strait–with Type 076s having the potential to expand the operations of PLA strike groups, boost strike intensity and speed up amphibious landing missions,” The South China Morning Post explained while noting that Beijing continues to see the self-ruling Taiwan as a breakaway province that will be returned to mainland control and by force if necessary.

There is also speculation that as a drone carrier, Sichuan could be used to deploy a combination of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and possibly even land-based “robotic attack systems.” The vessel could be the off-shore command center for a variety of unmanned systems, which fits with the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) increased focus on drone warfare.

Type 075 Showing the Flag

One day before the launch of the Type 076 Sichuan last month the Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hanian made its first foreign port call at Tanjung Priok, Indonesia—arriving just before New Year’s for a scheduled four-day replenishment.

“The overseas display of the large amphibious assault ship, which is considered an important strategic weapon, demonstrates the PLA Navy’s openness, transparency, and confidence. As the PLA Navy makes strides toward the blue water, more naval assets will embark on foreign visits, serving as envoys of friendly exchanges, highlighting the PLA’s image as a strong and cultured force,” the Chinese state media Global Times reported, citing military expert Zhang Junshe.

The Type 075 Hainan was launched in September 2018 and commissioned in April 2021. It was Beijing’s first vessel of the class. Prior to its port call in Indonesia, it visited Hong Kong for the first time in November.

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Источник: nationalinterest.org