China’s first drone-carrying amphibious assault vessel, the Sichuan, is expected to begin sea trials soon following the release of new images of the ship.
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Pictures circulating on social media showing that the covers had been removed from the Type 076’s electric launch catapult and that a radar system had apparently been installed generated speculation that the ship was ready for the trials.
The release of the images came ahead of the week-long National Day holiday and followed the successful test of the electronic launch catapult and landing gear on the Fujian aircraft carrier earlier this month.
The Sichuan is seen as a key asset for the PLA Navy’s unmanned aerial vehicle operations because of its electromagnetic catapult launch system, and is often described as the world’s first drone carrier.
Amphibious assault ships are likely to play a major role in any military conflict involving Taiwan, and the type 076 ships will be able to expand the operation of PLA strike groups.
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Beijing views Taiwan as part of China and has never ruled out the use of force to reunify it with the mainland. Most countries, including its main international partner the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington opposes any attempt to take it by force and is legally bound to supply the island with arms to defend itself.