A ship thought to be the Sichuan, an important resource for possible amphibious actions against Taiwan, leaves the Shanghai shipyard.
The PLA’s new “drone carrier”, a crucial resource for possible amphibious attacks on Taiwan, seems to have completed its second sea test, indicating rapid advancement toward deployment as tensions between Beijing and Tokyo increase over the island.
A major ship left the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard on Friday, as reported in a navigation alert released the previous day by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration.
The announcement did not specify the ship, but it is thought to be the Sichuan, the People’s Liberation Army’s firstType 076 landing helicopter dock, which was constructed and moored at the same shipyard in Shanghai. A picture of the vessel at sea also spread on Friday through Chinese social media.
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The trial, which Beijing has not officially acknowledged, occurred just two weeks following Sichuan’s initial sea trial, which spanned three days and evaluated the reliability and stability of the massive warship’s engine and power system.
The condensed timeline of trials indicates a swift progression toward the ship’s commissioning, anticipated by the end of next year, approximately two years following its launch in December of the previous year.
The Type 076 is equipped with an electromagnetic launch system that allows for quicker and more regular aircraft takeoffs, akin to the technology found on China’s third and most sophisticated aircraft carrier, the Fujian, whichentered serviceon November 5 following its initial sea trial in May last year.
The Fujian conducted its initial maritime live-force exercise on November 18 as tensions with Tokyo increased concerning the Japanese Prime Minister.Sanae Takaichi’scomments indicating that her nation’s Self-Defence Forces might get involved if a conflict arises in the Taiwan Strait.
The Type 076’s most prominent characteristic is its capacity to launch unmanned aircraft via catapult, including theGJ-11stealth, flying-wing unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), capable of conducting precise attacks and aerial surveillance.
The Type 076 is also anticipated to transport J-35 stealth fighter jets, KJ-600 early-warning aircraft, and various helicopters and amphibious gear, as reported by earlier Chinese media.
Boasting a displacement of more than 40,000 tons when fully loaded, the vessel has a twin-island superstructure and a flight deck that spans the entire length of the ship.
As the world’s initial drone carrier of its type, the Type 076 signifies the PLA Navy’s advancement and its growing fleet aimed at extending influence throughout the western Pacific and further afield.
More notably, it might be employed in amphibious missions, such as an assault on Taiwan.
“In the future, the Type 076 will not only act as a platform for projecting power but also function as a drone carrier, launching airborne reconnaissance and attack drones or unmanned combat aircraft to more effectively assist amphibious forces in island control operations,” said military analyst Wei Dongxu during a CCTV program that aired on Saturday.
Wei stated to the state media that the vessel would also enhance surveillance, offer fire support across “a larger region,” and represent an advancement in amphibious landing techniques compared to the earlier Type 075.
China’s landing forces currently depend largely on theType 075, four of which are operational. Each is capable of transporting numerous helicopters, several Type 726A air-cushioned landing craft, and many amphibious armored vehicles, as reported by CCTV.
The show about the PLA’s amphibious forces was broadcast just days following Japan’s confirmation of its intention to station Type 03 Chu-SAM ground-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, located approximately 110km (68 miles) east of Taiwan.
“Deployment could reduce the likelihood of an armed attack against our nation,” said Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi during a trip to Yonaguni last month.
Beijing criticized the missile deployment as “highly perilous” and “a calculated action that increases regional tensions and fuels military competition.”
Beijing has consistently cautioned against external interference, such as from Japan, regarding Taiwan. It expressed strong disapproval following Takaichi’s statement last month that any military action by mainland China against Taiwan could pose a “life-threatening scenario” for Japan, thereby permitting Tokyo to take military measures. She has declined to withdraw her comments.
Her remarks represented the clearest statement from a current Japanese prime minister regarding how Tokyo could react to an attack on Taiwan, signaling a shift from the nation’s traditional “strategic ambiguity” on this matter – a stancethe United States has also continued to uphold.
Beijing considers Taiwan to be a part of China, and is prepared to use force if required to achieve reunification. Japan and the US, similar to many other nations, do not acknowledge Taiwan as a separate country, yet Washington opposes any effort to seize the self-governing island through force and is legally obligated to supply weapons for its defense.
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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
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