China’s Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai is expected to launch a new second Type 075 amphibious assault ship on Wednesday. A new ship built by the Hudong Zhonghua company will undock from 1:20 pm to 2:50 pm on Wednesday, and a water area of 1,500 meters long and 350 meters wide near the dock will be restricted for navigation. Thursday will be the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the launch of the second Type 075 on Wednesday, could serve as a birthday present for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). 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.
The Type 075 landing helicopter dock (NATO reporting name Yushen-class landing helicopter assault) is a new generation of amphibious assault vessel and far larger than similar ships previously constructed for the PLA Navy. The Type 075 would give the Chinese navy the ability to launch various types of helicopters to attack naval vessels, enemy ground forces or submarines. The vessels will also be able to deploy landing craft and troops, plus house command and control operations. The Type 075 class 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.
Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding is a wholly owned subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the largest shipbuilding group in China and the second largest shipbuilding conglomerate in the world. Headquartered in Shanghai, Hudong-Zhonghua produces ships for civilian and military use, and is China’s only manufacturer of LNG carriers. Hudong–Zhonghua is reputed to be the cradles to frigates and landing craft for the Chinese Navy. Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding was formed through the merger of Hudong Shipbuilding (founded in 1928 as Molleis Shipbuilding and Engineering Works) and Zhonghua Shipyard (1926) in 2001 and is now the largest shipbuilding company in China.
