The People’s Liberation Army Navy, also known as the PLA Navy, released photos from maritime exercise in waters of the South China Sea.

During the exercise, were involved new Chinese amphibious assault ships with Type 726 landing craft air cushion (LCAC) on board. The amphibious dock landing ship Changbaishan (Hull 989) during an amphibious landing exercise in waters of the South China Sea has conducted a training on landing with the participation of new LCACs.

The PLA Navy is building modern amphibious warships such as the Type 071 class with well deck houses up to four Type 726 air-cushioned landing craft.

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Type 726 is an amphibious, air cushion, landing craft similar to the LCAC employed by the US Navy which can transfer vehicles or marines to the shore at high speed. The LCACs are launched by a flooding of the docking area. The vessel can also carry landing craft on port / starboard davits.

The LCAC was developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and built by Jiangnan Shipyard.

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The craft can transport up to 60 tons of cargo include either Type 96 or Type 99 heavy tank on behalf of the Chinese Marine Corps. Besides, the craft can be equipped with machine guns and grenade launchers to provide some form of fire support during landing operations on enemy shores.