China launches the first of multiple Type 075 LHDs
China launched its first ever landing helicopter dock (LHD) at the Huangpu-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on the morning of 25 September, greatly furthering the future expeditionary capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The large vessel was constructed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), and officials from the central and local governments, PLAN, CSSC and the military’s Equipment Development Department were in attendance for the launch ceremony.
Called the Type 075 in PLAN service, its construction has been phenomenally fast for a vessel this size, estimated to displace between 30,000 and 40,000t and with an estimated length of
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