China is accelerating the completion of the Type 076, the next generation of the Type 075, to enhance its amphibious assault capabilities - which the country is using as a means of intimidation in maritime sovereignty disputes.
The South China Morning Post reported that China launched its first Type 076 yesterday (December 27).
New Power
Compared to its predecessor, the Type 075, which has a full load displacement of 40,000 tons, the Type 076 not only increases its full load displacement to 50,000 tons, but is also equipped with an electromagnetic catapult to enhance its combat capabilities by launching unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) faster. Thereby, the Type 076 amphibious assault ship can increase its amphibious landing capability (both at sea and on land) and attack intensity. According to many analyses, it seems that China is aiming to develop the Type 076 into an aircraft carrier for UAVs.
Type 076 ship
In addition, the Type 076 still has all the characteristics of the previous generation of amphibious assault ships. That is, it can carry 1,000 soldiers, dozens of helicopters of all types, including the Z-8 and Z-9 multi-role combat helicopters, and 2 hovercraft landing ships.
Recently, there have been many signs that China wants to upgrade the Type 075 and 076 ships in the same way that the US did with the Wasp and America class amphibious assault ships, or the way Japan operates the Izumo class amphibious assault ships. The US and Japan deployed the F-35 stealth fighter, a short takeoff and vertical landing version, for the Wasp, America, and Izumo classes. At that time, these amphibious assault ships could also operate as light aircraft carriers. China is trying to develop the J-35 with similar features to deploy on the Type 075 and Type 076 ships.
Serving the ambition to control the seas
In recent times, even in peacetime, amphibious assault ships have been deployed to serve China's ambitions for sovereignty at sea.
In the middle of this year, amid serious tensions with the Philippines in the South China Sea, the Global Times reported that Beijing had dispatched a Type 075 ship to the Xu Bi Shoal in the Spratly Islands, which belongs to Vietnam but is illegally occupied by China. Previously, China announced that a Type 071 landing ship had just conducted a landing exercise involving an air-cushioned landing craft at Xu Bi Shoal.
Analyzing when answering Thanh Nien , Dr. Satoru Nagao (Hudson Institute, USA) pointed out that the amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious ship, and at the same time is the largest warship to meet the control goal in peacetime. In wartime, military operations require eliminating enemy resistance. However, in peacetime, it is impossible to sink ships of other countries, so the comprehensive service capacity of the amphibious assault ship has many meanings.
China is planning to build and renovate artificial islands. This requires amphibious capabilities. So, if China uses amphibious assault ships, it will show more confidence in continuing its operations. Through amphibious assault ships, China can land more soldiers or construction workers. That is why China's deployment of Type 075 in the South China Sea has become a matter of concern.
Therefore, by increasing the number of amphibious assault ships, China can further promote its activities in the East Sea as well as other sea areas.
China develops 6th generation fighter?
Yesterday (December 27), the South China Morning Post cited a clip on Chinese social media showing a new fighter jet of the country being tested (photo) .
Later, some official channels from the military "hinted" to confirm the above information. This is said to be a 6th generation stealth fighter. To date, China has developed two 5th generation stealth fighter lines, the J-35 and J-20, which have designs quite similar to the US F-35 and F-22 fighters, respectively. Both the J-35 and J-20 lines have been deployed to Chinese forces.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trung-quoc-tang-cuong-thuc-luc-do-bo-tan-cong-tren-bien-185241227231043763.htm
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