In recent years, the Chinese Navy has deployed a large number of new destroyers, frigates and light patrol boats
which have greatly increased its maritime power
Along with that, China's amphibious force is also developing step by step
This development has important implications for China's maritime ambitions
A little-known Chinese landing ship, the Type 074, classified as a class of landing ship medium, is in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy
They were built at Wuhu Shipyard of Wuhu, Anhui from 1995 to 2000
Although entering service in the mid-1990s, the origin of Type 074 dates to almost three decades earlier in the mid-1960s
and Type 074 is the result of experience learned from around half a dozen models earlier
The preceding Type 079 landing ship suffers from inherit design flaws so that in order to achieve ease of production
it could be mass-produced, the hull shape was a very simply flat bottom design, and this is not good for sailing in poor weathers
As a result, PLAN issued a request of upgrade of the Type 079 in the 1990s
However, as study progressed, it was discovered that in order to reach the requirement, major redesign is needed, and the cost would be prohibitive
The only alternative was to enlarge the successful design of the older Type 271 landing ships
hence Type 074 was borne as a cross between the Type 079 and the Type 271
with the upgraded equipment of the former installed on an enlarged hull of the latter
Type 074 has a full load displacement of about 800 tons, a length of 58.4m, a beam of 10.4m, and a draft of 2.7m
It is powered by two 4,900 hp diesel engines, for a top speed of 18 knots
Type 074 landing ship structure is much more advanced than the 079 type
It not only adopts a non-flat bottom design, but also has a split door and a folding double-section suspension bridge instead of the 079 type
This first door facilitates the entry and exit of tanks, artillery and vehicles, and is also conducive to increasing the speed
There are also cranes on the deck for loading and unloading light cargo
This class of landing ship is capable of making oceanic voyages in moderate sea states
They are used for tactical beach lodgement, and can carry up to 100 tonnes of cargo
Indicative maximum loads include either 2 main battle tanks, or 6 light amphibious tanks, or 350 fully equipped troops
The ships of this class are fitted with three Type 61 25mm AAA guns
Some units are also fitted with Type 81H 122mm multiple rocket launchers
Although on board equipment of Type 074 is derived from that of Type 079
advancement in Chinese technological and industrial capability enabled the adaptation of automation
which significantly reduced the number of crew needed almost by a half, down to 56 from the original 109 of Type 079
Overall, this type of landing craft has advanced design, good airworthiness, strong maneuverability, and strong amphibious combat capability
It can not only undertake landing missions, but also undertake daily transportation tasks, and has excellent draft and shallow beach performance
A total of 15 have been completed, 12 are in service with the Chinese Navy, 1 is sold to Sri Lanka and 2 to Bangladesh