What we know about the 075 Landing Helicopter Dock and other expected additions to the PLAN amphibious assault fleet.
One of the more long-awaited People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
projects over the last decade is the 075 landing helicopter dock (LHD).
Initially this project was erroneously named as the 081 class for a few
years (that designation refers to a class of minehunters instead),
before the consensus settled on 075.
It has been known for many years that 075s would be constructed at
Hudong Zhonghua shipyard, where the PLAN’s 071 landing platform dock
(LPD) ships were built. However until the last year or so there was no
clear confidence as to when the first 075 could be expected to be
observed, or how many may be built. In the last few months a number of
very informative new pictures and rumors have emerged, allowing us to
create a more detailed timeline for the near term.
This piece will also review overall composition of the PLAN
amphibious assault fleet today and in the near future, as well as
overall PLA sealift capability. Particular attention will be paid to
vessels that may be relevant for a Taiwan invasion contingency, given
that news and defense media appear to be particularly fixated on such a
scenario.
075 LHD
Currently it is thought that an initial batch of three 075 LHDs have
been ordered, all to be constructed at Hudong Zhonghua. The first ship’s
modules began assembly in the main large drydock in early 2019
alongside the eight 071 LPDs in the same drydock. Numerous good quality aerial photos and even a satellite photo
were taken around the time of and during the eight 071 LPDs’ launch on
June 6, 2019. These photos depicted both the eight 071s and the
first 075 residing alongside each other in the same drydock. During the
eight 071s’ launch, the full drydock was flooded and the first 075 was
watertight despite its hull being incomplete, allowing the eight 071s to
be floated out into the Huangpu River. Subsequent photos
taken after the launch of the eight 071s showed that additional hull
modules have since been assembled to the ship, including the first
module for the hangar and overlying flight deck.
The most recent rumors suggest that the second 075 hull has begun
assembly alongside the first 075 hull in the same drydock. Considering
that the number of modules that could be observed in staging areas
around the drydock were too numerous for merely a single 075, and
considering the size of the drydock can enable two 075-sized ships to be
assembled simultaneously, it is likely to be a matter of time until we
receive photographic evidence of the second 075 hull being worked on
alongside the first hull in the same drydock. In terms of timeline, the
most conservative estimate for the launch of the first 075 would be
early to mid-2020 – however, some more spectacular rumors have suggested
it may be launched around October 2019.
Given the pace of work Hudong Zhonghua has demonstrated with the
first 075 as well as their past work with 071s, it is very plausible
that all three 075s ordered as part of the rumored first batch could be
launched by 2021. A speculative timeline from this author suggests that
the first 075 could be launched in late 2019/early 2020 (with the 2nd 075
partway complete by this time), after which assembly of the third 075
will occur at the position within the drydock formerly occupied by the
first 075. The second 075 could be launched by late 2020 (similarly with
the third 075 partway complete by this time), and finally the third 075
would be launched in mid to late 2021.
In terms of size, the 075 LHD is currently estimated to have a full
displacement of about 31,000 tons, with the capacity to carry up to 30
helicopters. It is likely to have a well deck capable of accommodating
two Type 726A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) as well, and a
vehicle/cargo bay.
There are significant indications that the first batch of three 075s
will be followed by additional LHDs. Part of these plans include a
larger “075A” LHD that may displace around 40,000 tons or more. However,
it is not known if an order of 075As will occur immediately after the
current first batch of 075s, or if the PLAN will order for another batch
of 075s first. This allows a tentative set of predictions to be made;
by 2025 it is likely that at least three LHDs of the 075 class will be
in service, and by 2030 it is almost certain that significantly more
than three LHDs will be in service but it is not known if this will be
six, eight, nine, or perhaps even more LHDs (likely made up of a
combination of 075s and 075As).
There are no indications of any active development for a short
take-off vertical landing fighter aircraft that could be used for the
PLAN’s LHD fleet.
071 LPD
The 071 LPD is a well-known ship class at this point. Six ships are
currently in service, with another two ships in sea trials and fitting
out respectively. The seventh and eighth ships are likely to be
commissioned by late 2019 and late 2020 respectively. It is not
currently known if any additional 071 LPDs will be ordered in the next
few years, considering Hudong Zhonghua will likely be quite busy
constructing 075s in this time.
There is not much to write about the 071 class apart from its
physical characteristics, some of which have been reported in an
inaccurate manner. The ship has a full displacement of up to 25,000
tons, with a large hangar capable of accommodating four Z-8 sized 13-ton
helicopters. A single 071 can carry up to 20 armored vehicles in its
dedicated vehicle bay, and four Type 726A LCACs can be carried in its
large well deck. However, multiple pictures
have also shown that 071s can carry a large number of amphibious
armored vehicles of the ZBD05/ZTD05 family in its well deck to deploy
directly from the ship to beach, in rows made up of four vehicles each.
The full length of the 071’s well deck is likely over 130 meters
(considering it can accommodate four 33 meter-long Type 726A LCACs), and
the full length of a ZBD05 pattern vehicle is 9.5 meters. Assuming each
vehicle needs a clearance of 1.5 meters immediately before and after
it, the theoretical longitudinal footprint of a ZBD05 vehicle would be
12.5 meters. Therefore, the well deck of a 071 can likely accommodate
around 10 rows of ZBD05 family vehicles, for a well deck capacity of 40
ZBD05 vehicles. In addition to around 20 vehicles in the dedicated
vehicle bay, the total capacity for carrying ZBD05 family vehicles of a
single 071 should be considered 60 rather than only 20.
For a Taiwan contingency, the total (well deck plus vehicle bay)
vehicle capacity is likely of greater interest than the “vehicle bay
only” capacity, as the latter count would assume the well deck was used
for other roles such as to operate LCACs. However, the initial waves of
an amphibious assault would likely rely on deploying large numbers of
amphibious armored fighting vehicles like ZBD05/ZTD05 to contest a
beach, rather than relying on much smaller numbers of soft skinned and
otherwise defenseless LCACs transporting handfuls of armored vehicles
onto a beach where enemies may reside.
LCACs
The PLAN operates a number of LCAC types. The most well known is
probably the Zubr imported from Ukraine and Russia, boasting a full
displacement of about 550 tons and capable of accommodating up to 140
tons in an internal bay. However, the size of the vessel does not allow
it to be carried in LPDs or LHDs, and for the PLAN it would only be
appropriate for operations within a few hundred nautical miles of
China’s coast (including Taiwan). At present five vessels have been
identified, but the pace of delivery and subsequent construction has
been relatively slow, and it’s unknown how high the demand for Zubr
LCACs will be.
The Type 726/A LCAC is the Chinese equivalent of the U.S. Navy’s
LCAC, designed to be deployed from 071 LPDs and 075 LHDs. Ten such
vessels are currently thought to be in service, with more under
construction. These vessels are larger than USN LCACs but are less space
efficient, with slightly lower payload capacities and lower available
deck space. Additional Type 726As are in construction at Jiangnan
shipyard, with production rumored to begin at an additional shipyard in
future. It is possible that the production run of Type 726As will
correspond with the total well deck capacity for the PLAN’s fleet of
071s and 075s.
Other types of smaller LCACs capable of embarking squads of infantry
also exist, but are only appropriate for small-scale insertion.
Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs)
The PLAN operates up to 32 LSTs. These are divided between the Type
072, 072II, 072III, and 072A, respectively three, four, 10, and 15
strong per class. The 072 and 07II displace slightly over 4,000 tons
while the 072III and 072A displace close to 5,000 tons. For the purposes
of summary, each ship can carry up to 10 tanks each in terms of
displacement. All LSTs have a bow door and a rear well deck-style ramp
for deployment of vehicles in the bow and aft directions via the cargo
hold running through the full length of the ship.
About 10 smaller Type 073A 2,000 ton LST style ships are also in
service, and about a half dozen similarly sized, older 073 ships of a
similar configuration. Their cargo capacity is correspondingly smaller
compared to the 072 family of LSTs.
An 800 ton class landing ship — the 074 and 074A class — also exists, numbering about 12 and 10 respectively.
PLAA landing craft and STUFT
One major sealift capability often overlooked in assessments of PLA
amphibious assault sealift strength is the fleet of landing craft
operated by the PLA Army/Ground Force (PLAA/PLAGF). These craft are not
small, and can displace between 500 and 800 tons, featuring enclosed
deckhouses, with enclosed or semi-enclosed cargo holds, and are operated
by the PLAA to support their amphibious units. They regularly
participate in exercises, carrying armored fighting vehicles, logistics
vehicles, and troops.
For example, the Type 271 displaces 500 tons, while the bigger Type
271 III displaces 800 tons, with the latter capable of carrying three
medium main battle tanks with a range of 1,000 nautical miles. Clear
estimates of fleet size are difficult to ascertain, but as many as 80
ships of the Type 271/III LCT family may be in service today. A new
design of ship similar to this configuration with higher speed was
observed in 2015, suggesting the PLAA will continue maintaining a fleet
of these ships for their own naval transport purposes
These 500 ton and 800 ton landing craft are entirely inappropriate
for blue water operations or even long range regional missions. However,
these vessels should have more than sufficient seakeeping to cross the
Taiwan Strait to support an amphibious assault. In terms of seakeeping,
cargo capacity, and enclosure, ships of the Type 271/III family
obviously greatly exceed the 10 ton full displacement Higgins boat
landing craft made legendary during D-day carrying a platoon of men, or
even the USN’s contemporary landing craft utility ships displacing under
400 tons when full. Efforts in future to assess PLA amphibious assault
sealift capabilities should at least consider the variety of PLAA
landing craft capable of a strait crossing.
Finally, another understudied element of potential PLA sealift
resides in the fleet of Chinese roll on-roll-off (ro-ro) trade ships
that can be requisitioned for military use. Such ships will require a
port or a secured beachhead with a mobile Mulberry style harbor
to enable delivery of their cargo, but the international use of ships
taken up from trade (STUFT) for amphibious augmentation is long and well
documented, and the PLA has often exercised with STUFT. One 2017
estimate from China Defense Blog
suggested up to 150,000 troops with associated vehicles and supplies
could be lifted by the Chinese state owned ro-ro fleet at once, if
needed. Assessment of Chinese ro-ro STUFT ships should be considered in
any sealift assessment, including for a Taiwan contingency.
Summary
The PLAN amphibious assault fleet is likely to enjoy further
expansion between now and the mid 2020s. Key projects to watch include
the 075 LHD family, whether the 071 LPD family will be further expanded
or not, and whether the PLAA landing ship fleet will be further
sustained and recapitalized.