China launches second Type 075 Yushen-class amphibious assault ship

The 1st and 2nd Type 075 amphibious assault ships docked at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. Photo c/o Rupprecht_A's Twitter page.

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard launched the second Type 075 Yushen-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on 22 April 2020, in ceremonies held in Shanghai.

The ship’s launching coincides with the 71st anniversary of the PLAN’s establishment, and was 6 months behind the launch of the first ship of the class, which was launched on September 2019.

China plans to build four of these 35,000-ton ships by 2025, which rivals American LHD designs like the US Navy’s Wasp-class.  

The ships are capable of helicopter and amphibious assault operations, and is capable of housing up to 28 helicopters, and has a floodable well deck to allow operations of landing crafts, amphibious assault vehicles or hovercrafts.

In early April, its sistership was reported a fire incident, although it the extent of the damage was not reported.  


[1] National Interest
[2] UPI