China’s breakthrough Type 076 amphibious assault ship combines aircraft dominance, airpower, and marine skills to work power far away from its shores, a lethal combination that signals a new age of naval war.
Last month, The War Zone reported that China’s second supersized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, known as Sichuan, was unveiled at a launch meeting at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. The vessel, which had been constructed since October 2023, has substantial close-in defenses, a large flight deck, and a single electromagnetic catapult.
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).
In an August 2024 article for the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ) think tank, Matthew Funaiole and other authors mention that the Type 76 can carry up to 1, 000 marines, as well as dozens of drones and amphibious landing craft.
China’s wider efforts to modernize its marine arsenal and work more power away from its shores are the focus of the launch ceremony. The People’s Liberation Army Navy ( PLAN ) is significantly strengthened by the Type 076’s unique design and capabilities, which increase its ability to conduct large-scale drone operations and conventional amphibious assaults.
Integrating the GJ-11 and another UCAVs into the Model 76 may indicate a paradigm shift in marine warfare, continuing the development from marine guns, anti-ship missiles, carrier-based plane and drones.
The GJ-11’s capabilities and potential tasks have recently been covered in Asia Times. The GJ-11 is designed for strike missions and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ( ISR ). It features a mammal flying-wing design with a top-mounted air diet, emphasizing cunning and flexibility.
Satellite pictures reveals its possible integration with China’s Model 075 and Type 076 amphibious assault ships, showcasing its carrier-operable style and eligibility for marine aircraft. These features align with China’s broader strategy to increase manned-unmanned pairing ( MUM-T), where the GJ-11 may function as a “loyal friend” to J-20 cunning soldiers or other manned 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 result in massive drone swarms attacking allies, opening the door to 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 speed and range of an airplane with the ability to take off and land vertically from a helicopter. 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 makes it possible to conduct quick resupply missions and surveillance operations, which are essential for upholding logistical support and situational awareness in tense regions like the Taiwan Strait.
The drone’s versatility makes it a useful tool for airfield seizure operations and power projection, as well as its ability to operate from remote helipad locations and its compatibility with China’s Type 76 amphibious assault ships.
In terms of the Type 76 ship’s capabilities and function, Asia Times reported in June 2024 that it combines elements of air superiority and amphibious warfare 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. In the event of a potential conflict in Taiwan or the South China Sea, the vessel’s ability to operate drones, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters makes it a crucial asset.
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 place greater value on long-range expeditionary capabilities in bilateral exercises with countries like Russia and Thailand over traditional cross-strait operations, such as counterpiracy and humanitarian missions.
According to Rice, joint exercises across a range of disciplines are increasingly being used in amphibious warfare training, demonstrating 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 makes the claim that, despite tensions with Taiwan, China’s transition to a blue-water navy is in line with its aspiration for global influence. She also asserts that modernization supports a balanced approach to addressing regional sovereignty and global security goals.
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 makes note of the fact that the PLAN still lacks the large fleet of medium landing ships required for large-scale amphibious assaults, a gap that is partially filled by civilian vessels and airlift assets. The US amphibious warfare fleet is shrinking due to aging ships, delayed maintenance, and capacity shortages, according to Asia Times last month.
According to a recent US Government Accountability Office ( GAO ) report, half of the 32 amphibious ships in the US Navy are in poor condition, with many not meeting their expected service intervals. Deferred maintenance and aging systems have left critical components, such as diesel engines, in disrepair.
These difficulties have grown more severe as a result of the US Navy’s decision to stop maintenance on ships designated for divestment. Further, maintenance planning is more complicated because the US Navy and US Marine Corps are still unable to agree on the precise number of vessels needed for operations and training.
Without making significant investments to extend these vessels’ useful life, the US Navy runs the risk of ongoing operational interruptions and decreased readiness for crucial missions.