In China, sea trials of the second UDC Type 075 have started. Not so long ago, the celestial Empire began testing the lead ship of this project.
A landmark event for the Chinese Navy took place — sea trials of one of the largest ships in the history of China started. According to Naval News, the second universal landing ship (UDC) Type 075 set off from the Shanghai berth of the Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding Corporation.
The first representative of the Type 075 project began sea trials in August. The ship has since been transferred to a naval base on Hainan island. According to available data, a total of five such ships were ordered for the Chinese Navy (perhaps the total number of UDC will eventually be more). The Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai is due to launch the third Type 075 in early 2021.
Second UDC Type 075
Image source: navalnews
The Chinese Navy has officially embarked on the development of Type 075 in 2011. The project provides for the creation of a helicopter carrier with a displacement of more than 30 thousand tons, designed to significantly strengthen China's influence in the Asian region. According to some reports, about three dozen helicopters can be placed on Board the universal landing ship. UDC Type 075 can carry landing boats, Marines, and also act as flagship ships.
UDC project 075 in the artist's view
Image source: wikipedia
Today, the leaders in the number of UDC are Americans. They are actively implementing a program for the construction of universal landing ships of the America type-potentially the most advanced ships of this subclass.
The first of them — the USS America (LHA 6) — was put into operation in 2014. The second — USS Tripoli (LHA 7) - joined the fleet in 2020. In total, the us defense Ministry should receive 11 such ships. As part of the Navy, they will gradually replace the aging universal landing ships of the Wasp type.
USS Tripoli (LHA 7)
Image source: popularmechanics
The world experience has not gone unnoticed in Russia: the country has long intended to receive the first universal landing ships in its history. After France refused to sell the Mistral-type UDC, Russia made a bet on creating its own ships of this subclass. The first Russian UDC was laid last July.
