The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China officially announced on Friday (1st) the entry into service of its fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship, named Hubei.
The vessel has already participated in naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, as reported by official outlets.
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During the celebrations for the 98th anniversary of the PLA’s founding, the crew of the Hubei sent greetings to other military members directly from the ship’s vast flight deck, according to China Bugle, the official media channel of the Chinese Armed Forces.
According to state media, the Hubei, which received hull number 34, conducted joint maneuvers with other amphibious assets, including the Hainan — the first ship of the Type 075 class — and four Type 071 landing ships. The exercises also involved integration with Type 726 air-cushion landing craft, further enhancing the Chinese Navy’s ability to carry out joint amphibious operations.
Informally known as helicopter carriers, Type 075 ships have a continuous flight deck similar to that of an aircraft carrier and are designed to transport helicopters, amphibious vehicles, and landing craft.
The first Type 075, the Hainan, was launched in 2019 and commissioned into the Southern Theater Command of the PLA in 2021. The second, Guangxi, entered service in 2022 with the Eastern Theater Command, followed by Anhui in 2022. Now, the Hubei joins the fleet under the Southern Theater Command, according to an official statement published on the Chinese Navy’s WeChat account.
China is also developing the next generation of amphibious ships. In December 2024, the first Type 076 amphibious assault ship was launched, equipped with electromagnetic catapults, according to information from the Xinhua News Agency, which is expected to further enhance the country’s naval capabilities.
Source and images: China Bugle. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
