Type 075 landing helicopter dock

The Marine Design and Research Institute of China (708 Institute) of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation began design work in 2011.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|p=8}} Debate over the desired result may have continued into 2016. Reportedly, the Central Military Commission Equipment Development Department favored a smaller design than the final Type 075, effectively an enlarged Type 071 amphibious transport dock, possibly due to concerns that the existing propulsion plant was insufficient for a larger ship. Ultimately, the PLAN's desire for an LHA prevailed.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|pp=8-9}} Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding received the contract in 2018 and construction began that year.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|p=9}}

Images of Hainan, the first ship,{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|p=2}} under construction in drydock appeared by June 2019.{{cite magazine |last=Joe|first=Rick |date=17 July 2019|url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/the-future-of-chinas-amphibious-assault-fleet/|title=The Future of China's Amphibious Assault Fleet|magazine=The Diplomat|access-date=26 April 2022}} She suffered a minor fire while fitting out in April 2020 which did not slow construction.{{cite magazine |last=Farley |first=Robert |date=11 August 2020 |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/08/chinas-first-type-075-amphibious-assault-ship-begins-sea-trials/|title=China's First Type 075 Amphibious Assault Ship Begins Sea Trials|magazine=The Diplomat|access-date=25 April 2022}} Hainan commissioned on 23 April 2021{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|p=10}} and reached initial operating capability in March 2022.{{cite report |date=1 December 2022 |title=China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33153/265 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |docket=RL33153 |version=265 |access-date=12 December 2022 |page=34}}

In November 2022, the PLAN announced that the first two ships were combat ready.{{cite news |author=Liu Zhen |title=China's Type 075 amphibious assault ships ready for combat, PLA Navy says |date=29 November 2022 |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3201299/chinas-type-075-amphibious-assault-ships-ready-combat-pla-navy-says |newspaper=South China Morning Post}}

File:PLANS Guangxi (LHD-32) 20230630.jpg off Kagoshima prefecture in Japan, 2023]]

The flight deck is {{convert|226|m|ftin|sp=us}} long and {{cvt|36|m|ftin}} wide. There are seven flight spots - six along the port side and one aft of the island.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|pp=28-30}} The forward aircraft elevator can carry one medium helicopter with rotors folded; the stern elevator is larger and can carry Changhe Z-8 helicopters with rotors folded.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|p=19}} Two weapons elevators are located on the forward flight deck.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|pp=29}} The hangar may be {{cvt|150|m|ftin}} long, {{cvt|20|m|ftin}} wide, and {{cvt|6|m|ftin}} high. The ship may operate 20 to 35 aircraft.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|p=19}}

The well deck and vehicle deck are one continuous space.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|p=17}} The well deck has a {{convert|20|m|adj=on|sp=us}} wide gate and may be {{cvt|80|-|90|m|ftin}} long, sufficient for two or three Type 726 LCACs.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|pp=15-16}} The vehicle deck is large enough for a PLAN Marine Corps amphibious mechanized infantry company plus additional platoon-sized tank or artillery elements. An opening on each side allows roll-on/roll-off access to the vehicle deck.{{sfn|Kennedy|Caldwell|2022|pp=17-18}} The ship has an estimated displacement between {{cvt|35,000|to|40,000|t|LT|abbr=on}}, or more than {{cvt|40,000|t|LT|abbr=on}} at full displacement.{{cite web|url=https://dw-media.tkww.hk/epaper/tkp/20241121/A14_Screen.pdf |title=海軍艦艇編隊今抵港 市民有望登艦飽眼福 [Naval fleet arrives at Hong Kong today, citizens are expected to board the ships and enjoy the tour] |website=Ta Kung Pao |date=21 November 2024 |author=馬靜 |language=zh-Hant }}

• People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force
• List of ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy

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• {{cite report |last1=Kennedy |first1=Conor M. |last2=Caldwell |first2=Daniel |date=October 2022 |title=The Type 075 LHD: Development, Missions, and Capabilities |url=https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-maritime-reports/23/ |publisher=United States Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute |series=CMSI China Maritime Reports |volume=23 |page= |docket= |access-date= |quote=}}

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{{Type 075 landing helicopter dock|state=expanded}}

{{Ship classes of the Chinese Navy|state=uncollapsed}}

Category:Amphibious warfare vessel classes

Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the People's Liberation Army Navy

Category:Helicopter carrier classes

Category:Type 075 landing helicopter dock