Asian media reported that in April 2021, Taiwan launched a new amphibious vessel, the Yu Shan, with the hull number 1401
The indigenous amphibious ship is equipped with artillery and anti-ship missiles
It can carry both armored vehicles and helicopters for surface warfare missions
The new ship, named after Taiwan's tallest mountain, was launched at the shipyard of the CSBC Shipbuilding Corporation
The launch ceremony was attended by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng
along with other senior military and civilian officials
Speaking at the ceremony, Tsai called the launch of the Yu Shan a “milestone” for the self-governing East Asian island’s plans
to bolster its shipbuilding capabilities
adding that the ship “will strengthen the Navy’s ability to fulfil its mission and further solidify our defenses.”
The event was held in the context of Taiwan's repeated detection of mainland Chinese jets encroaching on air defense detection zones
as well as Beijing repeatedly sending aircraft carriers to exercises in the area
At a cost of about $162 million, Yu shan has a full load displacement of about 10,600 tons
a length of 153 meters, her top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h), and a range of 13,000 km
According to defensenews, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said the Yu Shan can accommodate up to 673 troops
and its vehicle deck can carry AAV7 tracked amphibious vehicles, among other land platforms
The ship also has a twin hangar sized for Sikorsky Seahawk and Black Hawk helicopters
as well as a single flight deck spot to conduct helicopter operations
A well dock is incorporated in the design to stow, launch and recover landing craft
Yu Shan is scheduled to enter service in 2022.
She will succeed the old ROCS Hsu Hai (LSD-193)
formerly the USS Pensacola, received from the US Navy in 1999
She will be equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and processing systems, including the bow mounted sonar
Weapons include a pair of anti-aircraft TC-2N radar-guided Surface-to-Air Missile launchers to deal with aerial threats
There is also the 76mm Mk.74 automatic cannon, 2 x 20mm Mk 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems
The hull is designed to provide a certain level of stealth
At the stern are the helipad and hangar
Cargo loading doors are placed along the sides of the warship