China has unveiled its newest amphibious assault ships, which also happen to be its largest warship to date. This addition further solidifies China’s position as the owner of the world’s biggest navy.
The Sichuan, a type 076 new-generation amphibious assault ship, was put into the water at a launch and naming ceremony on Friday.
This impressive warship, with a full load displacement of 40,000 tons, stands among the largest amphibious assault ships globally. It boasts a dual-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck, as confirmed by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in a recent statement.
Chinese military officials celebrate at the launch ceremony for the Sichuan. (Pu Haiyang/VCG via Getty Images)
For more than a decade, the PLAN has been dedicated to modernizing its military capabilities. The goal is to have the capacity to carry out operations worldwide, rather than being confined to the waters surrounding China. A significant milestone was the successful launch of fighter jets equipped with new electromagnetic technology from its domestically built aircraft carrier, the Fujian, inaugurated two years ago.
The Sichuan will now undergo additional tests at sea.
China has the largest navy in the world and is consistently trying to upgrade its fleet. Recently, researchers found that the country is working on designing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which would allow it to deploy its ships in distant waters without needing a base to refuel.
The U.S. Navy currently has 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers deployed in strategic locations globally, including in the Asia-Pacific.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
