Thailand's Type 071E landing platform dock launched by Chinese shipbuilder

 

The Type 071E LPD for the Royal Thai Navy after launching. Photo c/o Naval News.

The Type 071E landing platform dock (LPD) for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has been launched by its Chinese shipbuilder.

Chinese naval shipbuilder Hudong Zhonghua has launched the ship, which is expected to become the future HTMS Chang, on 23 December 2021.

It was based on the Type 071 landing platform dock designed and built for China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), with modifications to suit the requirements of the RTN.

The vessel was built as part of a contract signed between China and Thailand on September 2019 worth around THB6.1 billion (approx. US$200 million).

The amount does not include the weapon systems, which are to be acquired separately by the RTN. No specifics have been made yet on the final weapons fit out of the ship.

There are also reports that the RTN intends to use the LPD as a submarine tender ship to support the upcoming S26T submarines that are also being built by a Chinese shipbuilder.

The Type 071 is around 210 meters long, 28 meters wide, and has a full load displacement of around 25,000 tons. 

The ship is designed to carry a Marine battalion of around 800 marines, plus 20 amphibious vehicles and other equipment.




[1] Naval News
[2] Thai Armed Force