China’s groundbreaking Type 076 amphibious assault ship blends drone dominance, airpower and amphibious capabilities to project power far from its shores, a lethal combination that heralds a new era of naval war.
Last month, The War Zone reported that China’s first supersized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, known as Sichuan, was unveiled at a launch ceremony at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. The vessel had been under construction since October 2023 and features a twin island configuration, a wide flight deck with a single electromagnetic catapult and extensive close-in defenses.
The Type 076 landing helicopter dock (LHA), displacing around 40,000 tons, is designed to launch and recover fixed-wing aircraft, including drones like the GJ-11 Sharp Sword unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). In addition, the ship has substantial defensive capabilities, including HQ-10 surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers and Type 1130 close-in weapon systems (CIWS).
Matthew Funaiole and other writers mention in an August 2024 article for the Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank that the Type 76 can carry dozens of drones, amphibious landing craft and up to 1,000 marines.
The launch ceremony comes amid China’s broader efforts to modernize its naval capabilities and project power further from its shores. The Type 076’s unique design and capabilities make it a significant addition to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), enhancing its ability to conduct large-scale drone operations and traditional amphibious assaults.
Integrating the GJ-11 and other UCAVs into the Type 76 may signify a paradigm change in naval warfare, continuing the evolution from naval guns, anti-ship missiles, carrier-based aircraft and drones.
Asia Times has previously reported on the GJ-11’s capabilities and possible roles. The GJ-11 is designed for strike missions and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). It features a tailless flying-wing design with a top-mounted air intake, emphasizing stealth and versatility.
Satellite imagery reveals its potential integration with China’s Type 075 and Type 076 amphibious assault ships, showcasing its carrier-operable design and suitability for naval aviation. These capabilities align with China’s broader strategy to enhance manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), where the GJ-11 could function as a “loyal wingman” to J-20 stealth fighters or other crewed aircraft.
The drone’s potential roles include penetrating enemy air defenses, conducting precision strikes, and gathering critical battlefield intelligence, particularly in contested zones. Its deployment in a Taiwan conflict could involve overwhelming adversary air defenses with drone swarms, paving the way for more extensive assaults. This strategic drone emphasis underscores China’s shift toward unmanned, cost-effective, high-risk operational platforms.
Aside from the GJ-11, China’s Type 76 may deploy rotary-wing drones to support amphibious operations. In October 2024, Asia Times mentioned that China’s UR6000 tiltrotor drone, developed by United Aircraft, is a significant advancement in military technology designed to enhance China’s capabilities in a potential invasion of Taiwan.
The UR6000 combines the vertical takeoff and landing abilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane. It boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 6,100 kilograms, a payload capacity of 2,000 kilograms and a range of 1,500 kilometers.
Its design allows for rapid resupply missions and surveillance operations, which are crucial for maintaining logistical support and situational awareness in contested areas like the Taiwan Strait.
The drone’s ability to operate from austere helipad locations and its compatibility with China’s Type 76 amphibious assault ships make it a versatile asset for airfield seizure operations and power projection.
As for the capabilities and role of the Type 76 ship, Asia Times mentioned in June 2024 that it blends elements of amphibious warfare and air superiority into a single, hybrid vessel.
This design underscores China’s commitment to a drone-centric naval strategy, enhancing its maritime strike capabilities, ISR operations and traditional amphibious assaults. The vessel’s ability to operate drones, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters positions it as a critical asset in potential Taiwan or South China Sea conflict scenarios.
Assessing China’s amphibious warfare capabilities, Jennifer Rice mentions in the November 2024 book Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion that over the past two decades, the PLAN transitioned from a defensive, near-coast focus to an ambitious strategy of “near-seas defense, far-seas protection.”
Rice notes that while China’s policy emphasizes preventing Taiwan’s independence, the amphibious fleet’s development suggests a broader strategy rather than immediate plans for an invasion.
She mentions that recent acquisitions emphasize long-range expeditionary capabilities, such as counterpiracy and humanitarian missions, in bilateral exercises with nations like Russia and Thailand over traditional cross-strait operations.
Rice says amphibious warfare training increasingly incorporated joint maneuvers across multiple domains, showcasing advanced operational readiness. In addition, she states that advanced training and joint exercises simulate complex scenarios, such as rapid loading, long-range transport and beach assaults to refine tactics and address operational challenges.
She mentions that China’s shift toward a blue-water navy reflects its aspiration for global influence, stating that modernization supports a balanced approach to addressing regional sovereignty and global security objectives despite tensions with Taiwan.
Further, the US Department of Defense’s 2024 China Military Power Report says the PLAN has prioritized modernizing its amphibious fleet with large-deck amphibious ships, such as the Type 75 LHAs and Type 71 landing platform docks (LPD), alongside newer ships, such as the Type 76.
It notes that these vessels enhance the PLAN’s expeditionary potential, enabling troop transport, air support and armored vehicle deployment over long distances.
The report highlights China’s focus on a Taiwan contingency, where amphibious operations would play a central role. It mentions that the PLAN Marine Corps (PLAN-MC), expanded to 11 brigades, has improved capabilities for combined arms and expeditionary operations.
However, it points out that the PLAN still lacks the massive fleet of medium landing ships necessary for large-scale amphibious assaults, a gap partially mitigated by civilian vessels and airlift assets. In contrast to China, Asia Times mentioned last month that the US amphibious warfare fleet is shrinking due to aging ships, deferred maintenance and capacity shortfalls.
A recent US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights that half of the US Navy’s 32 amphibious ships are in poor condition, with many not on track to meet their expected service lives. Deferred maintenance and aging systems have left critical components, such as diesel engines, in disrepair.
The US Navy’s choice to halt maintenance on ships designated for divestment has intensified these challenges. Further, the US Navy and US Marine Corps have not yet reached a consensus on the precise number of vessels required for operations and training, making maintenance planning more complicated.
Without substantial investments in extending the service life of these vessels, the US Navy risks ongoing operational interruptions and decreased readiness for essential missions.
