The first ship of China’s new Type 076 amphibious assault ship was launched on December 27 in Shanghai, and it has been named Sichuan. Military experts believe that the Type 076 is the world’s first amphibious warfare vessel equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, capable of performing a variety of tasks in amphibious operations, such as battlefield surveillance, firepower strikes, assault support, airlift, and auxiliary landings.
According to reports from state-run media, including CCTV, the Sichuan has a hull number of “51” and a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tons. It features a twin-island superstructure (i.e., two island structures) and a full-length flight deck (also known as a straight deck). The ship incorporates innovative electromagnetic catapult and arrestor gear technology, allowing it to carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, amphibious equipment, and more. It is considered a key piece of equipment in advancing the development of the Navy’s transformation and enhancing its long-range operational capabilities. After its launch, the ship will undergo equipment commissioning, mooring tests, and sea trials as planned.
The Type 076 is the second amphibious assault ship developed by the Chinese Navy with a full-length flight deck, and its size and tonnage are comparable to that of a medium-sized aircraft carrier. Images provided by the private satellite company Maxar in August this year show that the Type 076 is about 263 meters long and 43 meters wide, slightly smaller than the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier but larger than the U.S. America-class amphibious assault ship.
The America-class is currently the largest active amphibious assault ship in the world, with a displacement of 45,000 tons. It can carry F-35B stealth aircraft, helicopters, and landing craft for amphibious operations. According to a report from the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Type 076 has a more spacious design, capable of accommodating dozens of helicopters and drones, as well as landing craft and more than 1,000 Marine Corps personnel.
One of the most notable features of the Type 076 is its twin-island layout, a design first used in the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, which is believed to be advantageous in separating naval and aviation command.
In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Chinese military expert and former Navy senior colonel Li Yaqiang analyzed that the true reason for adopting a twin-island design in the Type 076 has yet to be disclosed, as there is no need to separate navigation and aviation command. The PLA also has the technological means to solve electromagnetic compatibility issues.
Li Yaqiang believes that the addition of an electromagnetic catapult is the most distinctive feature of the Type 076. The electromagnetic catapult enables the Type 076 to launch carrier-based aircraft, especially heavy drones, at a high frequency—capabilities that traditional amphibious assault ships using ski-jump or vertical takeoff and landing methods cannot match. Additionally, the ability to carry multiple types of aircraft gives the Type 076 the flexibility to perform various tasks.
For example, in a regional maritime conflict, the Type 076 can carry more aircraft and drones to accompany an aircraft carrier in reconnaissance, mid-course guidance, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare operations, and even replace an aircraft carrier in low-intensity conflicts. For amphibious operations, the Type 076 can carry more helicopters and landing craft and launch various drones to provide reconnaissance and fire support for landing forces.
Wang Shichun, a military commentator for Observer Network, believes that in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the Type 076, as a drone mother ship, could carry out regional surveillance, firepower strikes, combat assault support, airlift, and other tasks, and could assist in landing operations if necessary. In the future, when the Chinese Navy requires intervention beyond its territorial waters, the Type 076 will become a “versatile tool,” responsible for nearly all tasks, from airstrike suppression to force projection.
Before the launch of the Type 076, the Chinese Navy had already built four Type 075 amphibious assault ships, with a displacement of about 36,000 tons, three of which have already entered service, rapidly advancing the development of amphibious combat power.
Li Yaqiang believes that the Type 075 is a traditional amphibious assault ship, focusing on amphibious operations but with limited capability for unmanned vehicle use. In future amphibious landing operations, the Type 076 and Type 075 will complement each other, each focusing on different aspects.