Taiwan’s navy says first landing platform dock the Yushan expected to enter service in June
- Warship to boost defences against potential PLA attacks on offshore islets, including in South China Sea
- It has completed all required tests and will undergo a final assessment in two to three weeks, naval officer says
The locally built 10,600-tonne Yushan-class vessel – which will be used to transport landing craft such as amphibious vehicles – has completed all testing including sea and combat readiness trials, the Taiwanese navy said on Tuesday.
“The Yushan is expected to enter service in June as it has gone through all the required tests in line with the schedule after it was delivered to the navy in September last year,” a naval officer said, adding that it would undergo a final assessment in two to three weeks to ensure it is fit for operation.
The Yushan will be an amphibious transport vessel for combat operations during wartime and used to transport personnel and supplies in peacetime, according to CSBC. It could also serve as a hospital ship during natural disasters, providing humanitarian aid and being used for relief missions.
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It will be able to transport several AAV7 amphibious armoured personnel carriers along with some 670 soldiers, the shipbuilder said. A single flight deck with two hangars means it can accommodate Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk or the naval Sikorsky SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters.