Naval Service
A Look At People’s Liberation Army Amphibious Sealift Assets
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A Look At People’s Liberation Army Amphibious Sealift Assets
by Xinhui
In the Pipeline:
Between the years 2002 and 2004, the PLAN underwent a rapid build-up of its landing ship assets with 15 new Type 072 Yuting and Type 073 IV YunShu. The production rate seems to have slowed down in 2005 with the focus on the new twin-hull LCM. There are also unconfirmed reports of a 17600 ton Type 071 Landing Ship Dock (LSD) under construction. Most operational details of the Type 071 are speculation at this point.
A report from the Second International Show (IMDS-2005) in St Petersburg indicated that the PLA is interested in two Zubr-class Air Cushioned Landing Ships (24). Kanwa further suggested that the PLA had been granted license production of an engine for heavy-duty hovercraft like the Zubr. However, until more evidence of the PLA actually commissioning Zubr with trained personnel surfaces, one cannot consider these assets as part of the PLA’s inventory.
Table of Assets:
There are some difficulties in sorting out ship designations as Chinese and western sources are not always in congruence. Here is a table of ships estimated for both the Navy and the Army:
Type |
Model |
Number in service (estimated) |
Capabilities |
Total |
LCU/LCP |
Type 55 |
8 |
60 P |
480 P |
|
T4 |
10 |
60 P |
600 P |
|
Type 67 |
300 |
60 P 1 T |
18000 P |
|
Type 68 |
50 |
150 P |
7500 P |
|
New Twin Hulls |
8 |
250 P |
1200 P |
|
|
|
|
|
LSM |
Type 073 I |
1 |
200 P 4 T |
200 P 4 T |
|
Type 073 II |
1 |
200 P 4 T |
200 P 4 T |
|
Type 073 III |
1 |
180 P 6 T |
180 P 6 T |
|
Type 073 IV |
11 |
250 P 6 T |
2750 P 66 T |
|
Type 074 |
13 |
250 P 2 T |
3250 P 26 T |
|
Type 273 (25) |
100 |
70 P 3 T |
7000 300 T |
|
|
|
|
|
LST |
Type 072 |
7 |
150 P 11 T |
1050 P 77 T |
|
Type 072 II |
9 |
150 P 11 T |
1350 P 99 T |
|
Type 072 IIA |
10 |
150 P 11 T |
1500P 111 T |
|
Type 079 |
31 |
5 T |
155 T |
|
|
|
|
|
AP |
Qiongsha |
4 |
400 P |
1600 P |
|
|
|
|
|
Defense Mobilization ship |
Shichang |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transport |
Z8/SA 321 |
20 |
39 |
780 P |
|
Mi 17/171 |
100 |
30 |
3000 P |
|
Mi 171v5/6 |
86 |
30 |
2580 P |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
53220 P 848 T |
By extrapolating the transport capacity of PLA amphibious assets it appears the PLA possesses sufficient assets to simultaneously sealift two amphibious mechanized infantry divisions, three infantry divisions, and one marine regiment. 52970 personnel and 842 tanks/vehicles would be just short of the total authorized strength of such a force, however this estimate does not consider the use of civilian assets.
Conclusion:
In examining open source materials, it can be determined that the PLA’s amphibious sealift capabilities are larger than many military analysts have stated. Simple arithmetic though does not allow complete precision in projecting the quantity of troops, equipment and cargo PLA will be able to sealift in time of war. Other elements at work such as readiness rate, command and control, and training need to be put into consideration. Without access to classified documents from the PLA, we will only find out the composition of the PLA’s invasion force when the shooting starts: let’s pray that we will never find out.
24) “Russia Will Equip Iranian Subs with Missiles” Kommersant http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=588627
25) Some of the older Type 79 and 273 are decommissioned, however scores of Internet photos prove that many of them are in good working order.
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