PLA Navy sends two of its biggest ships to protect oil rig, Vietnamese media report
Among the scores of vessels China has sent to protect an oil rig in the disputed South China Sea are two of the PLA Navy's biggest amphibious landing ships and a missile frigate, Vietnamese state media report.
Among the scores of vessels China has sent to protect an oil rig in the disputed South China Sea are two of the PLA Navy's biggest amphibious landing ships and a missile frigate, Vietnamese state media report.
Military experts said the sending of warships to waters also claimed by Vietnam would, if confirmed, indicate Beijing's determination to defend national interests.
The government-owned Vietnam Investment Review yesterday cited the country's Coastguard Command as saying that by the end of Tuesday, China had deployed as many as 86 vessels, including two ships equipped with helicopters, around the drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou 981.
The Jinggangshan and Kunlunshan are 19,000-tonne Type-071 ships and are equipped with eight surface-to-air missile launchers, a 76mm cannon, and four 30mm cannons. They are two of the PLA Navy's biggest amphibious landing ships.
Carrying up to 800 troops, four hovercraft, fast patrol boats and two large Z-8 helicopters, the Type-071 ships are more versatile than any other ship in the modern Chinese fleet.