The third aircraft carrier of China, the Fujian carrier, began sea trials on the 1st of this month and is expected to be delivered to the People’s Liberation Army Navy in 2025. Military experts have stated that during the gap between the construction of the Fujian carrier and the Type 004 aircraft carrier, China’s first UAV aircraft carrier, Type 076, built by the Shanghai Hudong Shipyard, is nearing completion and is expected to be launched in 2025, with service expected to commence as early as 2027.
According to “Tencent News,” military columnist “Dongfang Dianbing” stated that the successor to the Fujian aircraft carrier, the construction plan for the Type 004 aircraft carrier, has already begun and is expected to commence construction as early as this year, with delivery to the PLA expected around 2030. During this five-year gap, the 50,000-ton displacement amphibious assault ship Type 076 has entered the final assembly stage. Previously, mainland netizens had captured images of the construction of Type 076 at the Shanghai Hudong Shipyard during the sea trials of the Fujian carrier.
“Dongfang Dianbing” pointed out in the article that unlike Type 075, which is a conventional amphibious assault ship, Type 076 is a amphibious assault ship with aircraft carrier capabilities. Not only does it increase the displacement of the ship, but it also features an external flight deck and a dual-island design. “The PLA weapons procurement website previously included bidding content for equipment to be installed on Type 076, such as UAV decks, ammunition lifts, 30-ton-class internal lifts, electromagnetic catapults, and arrestor systems.”
The article emphasizes that Type 076 is essentially a 50,000-ton-class aircraft carrier, with electromagnetic catapults and arrestor systems designed for fixed-wing aircraft takeoff and landing. The 30-ton-class internal lift can transport aircraft such as the J-15B, J-35, and KJ-600 carrier-based aircraft, and the UAV deck is prepared for domestically produced reconnaissance and anti-submarine drones. “Dongfang Dianbing” bluntly stated that Type 076 possesses both amphibious assault ship and aircraft carrier capabilities and will be the PLA Navy’s first quasi-aircraft carrier with UAVs as its main force.
“If necessary, Type 076 can replace all UAVs with fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft and become a conventional carrier with electromagnetic catapults, enhancing the overall combat capabilities of the Navy.” “Dongfang Dianbing” believes that the comprehensive combat capabilities of Type 076 as an aircraft carrier far exceed those of India’s two conventional carriers, the UK’s two carriers carrying F-35s, and the US’s Ford-class carriers. Moreover, due to its shorter construction-to-service cycle and lower cost, it may be mass-produced in the future to expand the overall combat power of the Chinese Navy.