Shanghai shipyard upgrading amphibious warfare ships


A Type 071 amphibious assault ship of the PLA Navy. (Internet Photo)

Shanghai's Jiangnan shipyard has been assigned to construct a modified version of Type 071 amphibious transport docks in preparation for a potential amphibious warfare over the disputed Diaoyutai (Senkaku) islands with Japan, reports the Canada-based Kanwa Defense Review.

Current PLA Navy amphibious assault ships are only able to carry four Type 726 Yuyi-class air-cushioned landing craft, according to the report. The modified version will increase the potential load to six. This will gradually increase the PLA Navy's force projection capabilities.

The displacement of the upgraded ship will be more than 30,000 tons, compared to the 28,000 tons of the original.

Meanwhile, Ukraine had agreeded to provide blueprints of their Zubr-class air-cushioned landing craft to China. With this blueprint, China will be able to design new landing craft to replace the domestically-built Type 726.
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-s...00121&cid=1101