Watch: Chinese Navy’s Type 075 Assault Ship Hainan Conducts High-Intensity South China Sea Drills
Our take
The recent reports of high-intensity drills conducted by China’s Type 075 assault ship, *Hainan*, in the South China Sea underscore a continuing pattern of assertive naval activity in a strategically vital region. The Type 075, representing a significant advancement in amphibious warfare capabilities for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), possesses a full-length flight deck and hangar, enabling it to project power and support ground operations effectively. This latest exercise, occurring alongside China’s deployment of an upgraded submarine hunter to South China Sea exercises China Deploys Upgraded Submarine Hunter To South China Sea Exercises, highlights a concerted effort to bolster military presence and operational readiness in the contested waters. These actions are not isolated incidents; they are intertwined with broader geopolitical tensions and competing claims over maritime resources and territory. The escalating incidents, such as the recent confrontation resulting in a Philippine sailor’s injury US Condemns China’s ‘Dangerous And Aggressive’ Actions After Philippine Sailor Injured In South China Sea Clash, further emphasize the precarious nature of the situation and the potential for miscalculation.
The significance of these drills extends beyond a simple display of military strength. The South China Sea, characterized by complex atmospheric conditions such as evaporation ducts that significantly impact electromagnetic propagation Detecting the sensitive area of evaporation duct and evaluating its impact on forecasts of electromagnetic propagation over the South China Sea, is a crucial maritime transit route and a region rich in natural resources, including fisheries and potential hydrocarbon deposits. China's persistent activities assert its claims to sovereignty over various islands and features within the sea, often conflicting with the claims of neighboring countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The *Hainan’s* drills, incorporating air assets and likely amphibious landing exercises, signal an intent to control and secure these claimed areas, potentially restricting freedom of navigation for other nations and impacting regional trade. The integrated nature of these exercises, combining surface, subsurface, and air assets, points to a sophisticated and increasingly capable PLAN.
Furthermore, the timing of these drills is noteworthy, occurring amidst ongoing discussions regarding international law and maritime boundaries. While China emphasizes its historical claims, these are largely contested under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The consistent assertion of sovereignty through military posturing and increased naval activity runs counter to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving disputes peacefully. The PLAN’s growing capacity to project power in the region, exemplified by the Type 075 and the evolved Y-9 anti-submarine aircraft, necessitates a calibrated international response. While direct confrontation is undesirable, maintaining a robust maritime presence and upholding freedom of navigation principles remains critical. The demonstrable improvements in naval technology and operational procedures within the PLAN demand continuous observation and analysis from all stakeholders to accurately assess potential risks and adapt strategies accordingly.
Looking ahead, the intensification of military exercises in the South China Sea is likely to continue, potentially escalating tensions further. A key question will be whether China prioritizes maintaining regional dominance through increasingly assertive actions or engages in constructive dialogue to mitigate conflict. The interplay between military modernization, diplomatic engagement, and adherence to international law will shape the future stability of this crucial maritime space. The ongoing development of advanced maritime surveillance technologies and the refinement of climate indicators relating to regional weather patterns, particularly concerning phenomena like evaporation ducts, will be vital for understanding and predicting future developments in the region and their potential impact on security and trade.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has carried out a high-intensity combat training exercise involving its Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan in the South China Sea.
The exercise, conducted by the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy, included Z-20 helicopters operating from the ship.
Newly released footage showed the helicopters carrying out coordinated take-offs, landings and assault operations from the vessel’s flight deck.
According to the PLA Navy, the training focused on sea-air coordination and air and missile defence, with the aim of testing and improving the force’s ability to conduct coordinated combat operations in the far seas.
Hainan (Hull 31), China’s first domestically developed Type 075 amphibious assault ship, entered service on April 23, 2021. It is the lead ship of the PLA Navy’s Type 075 landing helicopter dock class.
The Type 075 is the largest amphibious warship operated by the PLA Navy. It has a full-length flight deck and a hangar that can accommodate nearly 30 helicopters of different types, allowing several helicopters to take off and land at the same time.
The ship also has a well dock that can launch amphibious vehicles, landing craft and air-cushioned landing craft (LCACs). It is designed to transport troops, infantry fighting vehicles and tanks for amphibious landing operations.
Work on the Type 075 programme began in 2011, with the full development project approved around 2013. Hainan was laid down in 2018 at Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai and launched on September 25, 2019.
The ship suffered a minor fire during fitting out on April 11, 2020. The fire was quickly brought under control, reportedly caused only limited damage and did not delay construction. Hainan was commissioned into the PLA Navy’s South Sea Fleet on April 23, 2021.
In late January 2023, Hainan took part in its first publicly reported far-sea training deployment. It sailed from Zhanjiang in Guangdong with the Type 052D destroyer Hohhot, the guided missile frigate Liuzhou, and the fast combat support ship Chaganhu.
The deployment lasted 30 days and covered more than 9,000 nautical miles across the South China Sea, the Western Pacific and other waters.
The vessel later made a five-day visit to Hong Kong beginning on November 21, 2024, alongside the destroyer Changsha. During the visit, two men were arrested for flying drones near the naval ships.
References: CGTN, chinamil
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