Beijing is accelerating production of its Type 071 amphibious transport docks by expanding construction to a second shipyard, potentially strengthening its ability to move troops and military equipment across the Taiwan Strait in a conflict.
The expansion comes amid long-standing United States assessments that Beijing lacks enough landing ships and logistical support for a large-scale assault on Taiwan, suggesting the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may be moving to address a significant shortcoming in its ability to conduct such an operation.
Recent assessments indicate that six new Type 071 vessels are at various stages of construction or fit-out at two shipyards, including four at Hudong-Zhonghua’s Changxing Island facility in Shanghai and two at CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering Group’s Longxue shipyard in Guangzhou.
According to Janes Fighting Ships, two of the vessels in Shanghai were launched in August and October but have yet to enter service, while the other two remain under construction.