Taiwan role expected for China’s second Type 075 landing helicopter dock
- The vessel has been photographed at the home base of the Eastern Theatre Command, which covers Taiwan Strait contingencies
- It can be turned into a floating logistic and supporting platform for attack helicopters, expert says
Dubbed a small aircraft carrier, the 40,000-tonne vessel was shown at the eastern command’s home naval base in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, in a photograph posted on social media last week by the local government.
The photo showed the hull of the vessel, which is yet to be assigned a pennant number. The Hainan, its sister ship, joined the Southern Theatre Command in April.
Unlike the eight active Type 071 amphibious transport docks and other amphibious vessels, Hainan bears the “31” pennant number – in the same family as the country’s flagship aircraft carriers, indicating that it has a more significant role and status than the other smaller vessels.
Its assignment is a major boost for the eastern command’s East Sea Fleet, which has yet to operate any aircraft combat platforms.