PLA Navy's Hubei Joins South China Sea Drills, Boosting Amphibious Capabilities

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship, officially named the Hubei, has been engaged in maritime training exercises in the South China Sea. Reports from official media sources on Friday confirmed this activity.

On Friday, coinciding with the 98th anniversary of the PLA's founding, officers and sailors aboard the Hubei, gathered on the ship's flight deck to extend their congratulations. The Hubei, identified by the hull number 34, is the fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship in the PLA Navy's fleet.

Footage from China Central Television (CCTV) showcased the Hubei and another Type 075 vessel, the Hainan, participating in a training exercise in the South China Sea. The formation also included four Type 071 amphibious landing ships. The Hubei conducted integration training with the Type 726 air cushioned landing craft.

The Type 075 amphibious assault ship, often referred to as a helicopter carrier, features a straight flight deck similar to an aircraft carrier. However, it primarily accommodates helicopters, along with amphibious vehicles and landing craft.

The first Type 075, the Hainan, was launched in Shanghai on September 25, 2019, and was commissioned into the PLA Southern Theater Command on April 23, 2021. The second, the Guangxi, was launched on April 22, 2020, and debuted in April 2022 with the PLA Eastern Theater Command. The third, the Anhui, officially debuted in November 2022, also with the PLA Eastern Theater Command.

An article posted on the official WeChat account of the PLA Southern Theater Command on Friday, commemorating the PLA's 98th anniversary, included a statement indicating that the Hubei is in service with the PLA Southern Theater Command.

According to a Chinese military affairs expert, the Type 075 represents a new generation of amphibious landing vessels. While the Type 071 focuses on sea-based landings, the Type 075 emphasizes air-based landings due to its capacity to carry more helicopters. The combination of Type 075 and Type 071 enhances the PLA's joint operations capabilities in amphibious combat scenarios, particularly in areas like the South China Sea and around the island of Taiwan. The presence of four Type 075 ships signifies the PLA Navy's growing amphibious combat capabilities, driven by the need to protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security.

In December 2024, China launched the world’s first electromagnetic catapult-equipped amphibious assault ship, the Type 076.