China launched its largest warship to date, the Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan, expanding its already substantial naval fleet.
The vessel was christened at a ceremony on Friday.
With a 40,000-ton displacement, the Sichuan is among the world’s largest amphibious assault ships, featuring a dual-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck, according to a statement by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
China Bugle, a PLAN-affiliated news outlet, reported the ship will be instrumental in enhancing the PLAN’s far-seas combat capabilities.
Equipped with an electromagnetic catapult for launching fighter jets and unmanned drones, the Sichuan is designed to transport ground troops in landing craft, supported by air power.
The ship also incorporates “arrester technology,” enabling fighter jet landings on its deck, a capability similar to aircraft carriers, according to Chinese researchers.
China’s first amphibious assault ship, the Type 075 Hainan, was launched in 2019.
The PLAN has been modernizing its fleet for over a decade, aiming for global operational capacity beyond near-shore waters. This follows the successful electromagnetic catapult launches from China’s domestically built aircraft carrier, the Fujian, launched two years prior.
The Sichuan will now undergo further sea trials.
China’s ongoing naval expansion includes the development of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, enabling extended deployments without relying on refueling bases.
The U.S. Navy currently operates 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers strategically deployed worldwide, including in the Asia-Pacific region.