China has released footage of its military conducting joint landing drills. The exercise was held with the participation of PLA 72nd Group Army and the PLA Navy’s Type 071 Amphibious Warfare Ship.
In the first part of the video ZBD-05 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle and ZTD-05 amphibious armoured light tanks are embarking on the Type 071 class amphibious transport dock. In the amphibious landing exercise session, the Yimengsahan, a Type 071 amphibious landing ship, released several Type 726 air-cushioned landing crafts (LCAC) carrying marines of the Navy, ZBD-05 and ZTD-05.
Type 071
The Type 071 (NATO reporting name: Yuzhao) is a class of Chinese amphibious transport dock ships in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The amphibious warfare ship features a vehicle deck, well-deck, landing deck and a hangar. It can carry a combination of marines, vehicles, landing craft and helicopters. The ship may embark 600 to 800 troops. The stern helicopter deck offers two landing spots for supporting the operations of two Z-8 (SA 321 Super Frelon) transport helicopters. The twin-door cantilever hangar can house up to four Z-8 helicopters. The well deck houses up to four Type 726 air-cushioned landing craft, which can transfer vehicles or marines to the shore at high speed. The LCAC are launched by flooding of the docking area. The vessel can also carry landing craft on port/starboard davits. The vehicle deck can house amphibious assault vehicles including the ZBD05 amphibious IFV and the ZTD-05 amphibious light tank. The stern ramp, two side doors and ramps allow rapid loading of the vehicles and equipment.
The ship is armed with one 76 mm gun and four 30 mm close-in weapon systems.
Check out Naval Library App to find out the specifications of the Type 071 LPD’s.
