The Type 076, designated by NATO as the Yulan-class, is China's largest and most technologically advanced amphibious assault ship developed to date, representing a substantial evolution beyond the Type 075 landing helicopter dock. Built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the Type 076 enables simultaneous helicopter assault operations, amphibious landings, and catapult-assisted launches while retaining the ability to transport more than 1,000 marines together with armored vehicles and two Type 726 Yuyi-class air-cushion landing craft, making it the world's first amphibious assault ship specifically designed around this combination of expeditionary and CATOBAR (Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) capabilities. Read full technical review at this link...
 |
| While officially classified as a landing helicopter dock (LHD), the class incorporates features traditionally associated with aircraft carriers, including an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and arresting gear, enabling the operation of fixed-wing aircraft alongside helicopters and amphibious forces. |