The first of three Type 075 helicopter-carriers (LHD) of the People’s Liberation Army’s Navy (PLAN) built by the Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co commenced her sea trial on August 4. This was four months after a serious fire broke out within its bilge-bay while the vessel was being fitted-out at the wet basin. The Type 075 LHD’s maiden voyage will likely test its principal on-board systems, including propulsion, navigation and communications suites. Sea-trials of this lead vessel will last for almost 18 months.

PLAN’s First Type-075 LHD in Sea-Trials

The 35,000-tonne Type 075 LHD’s design work began in 2011 under the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), and hull construction began in late 2018. It was launched on September 25 last year, following which it left the drydock within 24 hours and entered the wet-basin. The second Type 075 LHD’s hull was launched last April. Each such LHD will be able to host between 28 and 30 medium-lift Z-8J and Z-20 multi-role helicopters, plus up to eight vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (VTOL-UAV).