Global Times on Saturday reported China’s first Type 075 amphibious assault ship (also called helicopter carrier) caught on fire on Saturday at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai but the damage was not significant. Judging from the photos, the cause for the fire is likely be problems with the power and mechanical systems, sparks caused by electric welding, a fire in the kitchen or smoke concentrated on the middle and rear areas of the ship.
Although thick smoke was seen on the ship, the accident was not significant and will not wield any major impact on further construction,” state-owned Global Times publication reported quoting expert in the shipbuilding industry. The first Type 075 of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, and the warship was still under construction. The ship would conduct equipment calibration, mooring and sea trials. In line with general rules, related testing processes after the ship’s launch are still under the management of the shipyard rather than the navy, the report said.
The Type 075 landing helicopter dock (NATO reporting name Yushen-class amphibious assault ship) has a full-length flight deck for helicopter operations and features a floodable well deck from which to disembark hovercraft and armored amphibious assault vehicles. The Type 075 would give the Chinese PLA navy the ability to launch various types of helicopters to attack naval vessels, enemy ground forces or submarines. In term of size and tonnage, Type 075 class is estimated to be larger than the Australian Canberra class or French Mistral class and second only to the U.S. Navy’s Wasp class and America class on the world stage.
