Chinese Amphibious Assault Ships
We took a cursory look at Chinese surface combatants but what about Chinese amphibious assault ships?
China operates several types of amphibious assault vessels ranging from true LPDs to LSTs and LSMs. Here is a brief summary of some of the recent amphibious ship classes.
20 armor vehicles, 500-800 troops, 4 LCAC
5 tanks, 250 troops, LCAC well deck
10 tanks, 250 troops
10 tanks, 250 troops
10 tanks, 200 troops
4-6 tanks, 40 troops
2 tanks, 250 troops
What jumps out from this examination is the emphasis being placed on local/regional assault. The LSMs and LSTs are suitable for short range transport and assault as opposed to the US Navy/Marine Amphibious Ready Group extended deployment concept. Clearly, China sees the possibility of local assaults against neighboring countries.
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| Type 071 LPD |
The other noteworthy aspect is that China is beginning to move from local assault capability to blue water, long range assaults. The Type 071 is a thoroughly modern and capable LPD, analogous to the Navy’s LPD-17 class. China is clearly looking further afield and looking to operate amphibious forces on an extended deployment basis.
Further, China is reportedly designing and building an LPH/LHA type vessel. This will cement China’s ability to conduct long range assaults and extended deployments.
ComNavOps is not a land combat expert by any means but China’s growing amphibious assault capability combined with their heavy armor emphasis in an assault means that someone is going to be facing a formidable assault force down the road, unlike the Marines who are heading down the path of light assault forces.
The US and regional countries need to keep a close eye on Chinese amphibious assault capabilities and ask themselves where they will be used.
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