PLA’s New Amphibious Assault Ship Spotted Off Chinese Coast Amidst Tests
24 March 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Source: · https://technews.tw/2025/03/14/the-pla-is-testing-new-amphibious-landing-ships/
A special configuration amphibious landing ship under development by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been observed undergoing tests along coastal beaches in China. This novel vessel comprises three ships linked to form a walkway extending hundreds of meters, enabling large transport vessels to unload personnel and supplies directly onto shore from greater distances offshore—a capability crucial for supporting extensive logistical requirements during amphibious operations.
In January, American naval expert H.I. Sutton reported that the shipbuilding company CSSC Defense is concurrently constructing between three and five such specialized landing ships at a Guangzhou factory on Longxue Island. These vessels are equipped with 120-meter ramps designed to deploy across diverse coastal terrains, facilitating rapid offloading of armored vehicles.
Two months later, videos uploaded by Chinese netizens revealed the testing process along these beaches. The footage depicts three ships connected into an approximately eight-hundred meter walkway that allows large transport vessels to unload personnel and supplies directly onto shore from a greater distance than conventional methods permit.
During World War II, the U.S. military employed similar configurations during Operation Overlord (D-Day), utilizing structures known as 'Mulberry Harbors.' These temporary artificial harbors served a comparable function—allowing naval forces to offload cargo on coastlines lacking established infrastructure or suitable beach terrain. Mulberry Harbours played a vital role in supplying Allied troops from June through late September; by August, they were capable of delivering 56,200 tons of supplies, 20,000 vehicles, and 180,000 soldiers daily to the shores.
Consequently, the PLA’s accelerated development and rapid prototyping for testing these amphibious landing ships suggests a proactive effort to support large-scale logistical operations in potential future amphibious engagements.
(Lead image source: Smiling Man)
Translator note: The term '桑椹港' (Mulberry Harbor) is a historical reference specific to the D-Day landings, thus it’s translated directly.
In January, American naval expert H.I. Sutton reported that the shipbuilding company CSSC Defense is concurrently constructing between three and five such specialized landing ships at a Guangzhou factory on Longxue Island. These vessels are equipped with 120-meter ramps designed to deploy across diverse coastal terrains, facilitating rapid offloading of armored vehicles.
Two months later, videos uploaded by Chinese netizens revealed the testing process along these beaches. The footage depicts three ships connected into an approximately eight-hundred meter walkway that allows large transport vessels to unload personnel and supplies directly onto shore from a greater distance than conventional methods permit.
During World War II, the U.S. military employed similar configurations during Operation Overlord (D-Day), utilizing structures known as 'Mulberry Harbors.' These temporary artificial harbors served a comparable function—allowing naval forces to offload cargo on coastlines lacking established infrastructure or suitable beach terrain. Mulberry Harbours played a vital role in supplying Allied troops from June through late September; by August, they were capable of delivering 56,200 tons of supplies, 20,000 vehicles, and 180,000 soldiers daily to the shores.
Consequently, the PLA’s accelerated development and rapid prototyping for testing these amphibious landing ships suggests a proactive effort to support large-scale logistical operations in potential future amphibious engagements.
(Lead image source: Smiling Man)
Translator note: The term '桑椹港' (Mulberry Harbor) is a historical reference specific to the D-Day landings, thus it’s translated directly.