Friday, July 22, 2011

China 'officially launches' second Type 071 LPD

The ship was already launched in November last year, with little fanfare. The announcement that it was officially launched — a splashier affair — recently looks timed to coincide with rising tensions in the South China Sea

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has officially launched its second Yuzhao-class Type 071 landing platform dock (LPD) in Shanghai, Chinese media have reported.

With a length of 210 m and a width of 28 m, the 19,000-tonne Jinggangshan (井岡山) can accommodate helicopters, armoured fighting vehicles, boats, landing craft and about 1,000 soldiers.

My article, published today in Jane's Defence Weekly, continues here (subscription required).

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