China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials

China’s first drone-carrying Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, began sea trials on Friday, after its launch in December last year, according to state news agency Xinhua.

The ship is seen as a key asset for the PLA Navy’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations because of its electromagnetic catapult launch system and is often described as the world’s first drone carrier.

The sea trial will test the reliability and stability of the engine and power system, Xinhua said.

Named after the southwestern Chinese province and bearing the hull number 51, the Sichuan’s launch and naming ceremony was held in December at Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard.

The sea trial marks a significant milestone for the People’s Liberation Army’s naval force, which is expected to take delivery of the Sichuan by the end of next year.

It came shortly after the official commissioning of the Fujian aircraft carrier last week, the nation’s most advanced and the first to be equipped with electromagnetic catapult technology.

The 076 warship is an upgrade over China’s first amphibious assault ship – the Type 075 – which was launched in September 2019 and went into service 19 months later in April 2021.