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Could the PLA’s new shipborne drone redefine naval operations in the South China Sea?
In a first, recent CCTV footage shows a lightweight uncrewed helicopter parked on the Chinese military’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship
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A new type of autonomous helicopter has been seen operating on the Type 075 amphibious assault ship, possibly improving the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capabilities in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Mainland state broadcaster CCTV on Thursday released a video explaining the operational capabilities of China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship. It showed a lightweight uncrewed helicopter parked on the ship with folding rotors that appeared to be slightly smaller than the PLA’s main shipborne helicopter, the Z-20.
This is the first time such a drone has been spotted on a Type 075 ship. Vessels of the model have been used in both the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
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The Type 075 has a displacement of between 35,000 and 40,000 tonnes and is designed to transport landing craft, troops, armoured vehicles and helicopters.
Chinese media often refer to the vessel as a helicopter carrier or light aircraft carrier. The ship can carry more than 30 helicopters and simultaneously launch and recover six.
Some analysts said the uncrewed helicopter shown in the video was an AR-2000, a lightweight aircraft developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The model weighs about two tonnes and made its debut at an air show in 2024.
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