The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has released new images of the amphibious ship Type 071, Yimengshan (hull 988), which is launching a Type 726 hovercraft at sea. This hovercraft has been in service since 2007, and there are currently likely over 40 units in service with the Chinese Navy.
Details of the Hovercraft and Its Capabilities
The Type 726 hovercraft, weighing 150 tons, is capable of carrying one Type 96 or Type 99 main battle tank and can also transport four small armored vehicles. The design and capabilities of this hovercraft indicate that it is influenced by a similar model from Bell Aerospace, the LCAC, which has been in service with the United States Navy and the Japan Self-Defense Forces since the late 1980s.
The images released from this exercise in late September in calm seas show that the Yimengshan was standing by during this operation. The images also indicate that the Yimengshan used a horizontal positioning system to maintain stability and steadiness while launching the hovercraft. However, this operation could be challenging in rough sea conditions.
New Experiences and Operational Capacities
It appears that the Yimengshan also launched a second hovercraft, which is seen speeding away from the mother ship in other images. Type 071 ships are generally capable of carrying four Type 726 hovercraft. This ship also has a storage area for up to four Z-8 helicopters, which is a licensed production version of the French SA 321 Super Frelon helicopter and can transport 25 personnel.
Given these capabilities, the Yimengshan seems capable of landing a sufficiently large force to dominate a rock or a small island. These ships and their associated hovercraft are divided between the East and South China fleets, with most training activities related to these vessels observed in the South China Sea fleet area, near the South China Sea and China's claimed territories in the Spratly Islands.
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