China’s new Type 076 Sichuan is a next-level amphibious assault ship
PLA’s next-generation warship will boast fighter and drone strike power with an advanced electromagnetic catapult launch system

China’s latest amphibious warship is designed to take sea-to-land assaults to the next level – a vessel capable of launching fighters and fixed-wing drones like never before.
The flat-top vessel will serve as a fleet command centre that will enable drones, helicopters, fighters and landing craft to approach an adversary’s coast.

First for an assault ship
The Sichuan, which was first spotted on satellite images in 2023, was officially launched as the first Type 076 ship in December with the hull number 51.
The vessel is undergoing equipment tests, mooring and sea trials, and is expected to be commissioned by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by the end of 2026.