The Type-076 has completed its first sea trials on November 16, according to a report by CGTN news. The ship had started its three-day trials on November 13 as it left Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. The three-day mission tested the vessel's propulsion, electrical systems, and other key equipment, all of which met expected standards.

Type-076 LHD

The Type-076 was launched on December 27, 2024, at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. Sichuan is the lead ship of the class. The ship is expected to be delivered to the PLA Navy at the end of 2026. The displacement of the ship is estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes (full load). It is approximately 252–260 meters in length with a beam of 45–52 meters and powered by an Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) system using gas turbines, which contributes to its twin-island superstructure design. Type-076 LHD is equipped with a stern well deck capable of launching amphibious vehicles, such as Type 726 LCACs, and carrying over 1,000 marines.

The LHD is armed with three Type-1130 CIWS (Close-in Weapon System), which is an 11-barrel 30 mm Gatling-style naval gun designed for point defense against anti-ship missiles and other close-range threats, and three HHQ-10 SAM launchers, which are typically equipped with 24 rounds each of short-range missiles to counter aerial threats. The HHQ-10 has an operational range of 0.5 to 9km. The four Type 726 decoy launchers are used to deploy chaff, flares, and sonar decoys to defend against incoming missile and torpedo attacks.

Type-076 EMALS

The Sichuan class features a flight deck that measures approximately 260 meters (853 feet) in length and 52 meters (171 feet) in beam. The length is longer than its predecessor, Type-075 LHD. The main feature is that it is equipped with an  Electromagnetic Catapult Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and arresting gear. The EMALS allows it to launch unmanned aerial vehicles from the flight deck, and it is the only ship in this category to have EMALS.

GJ-21 Drone and Helicopters

The GJ-21, the naval variant of GJ-11, is a jet-powered stealth drone with a tailless, "flying wing" design. It is specifically designed to operate from the Type 076 LHD using its EMALS and arresting gear for CATOBAR (catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery) operations. This UCAV is intended for a variety of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as precision strike missions, significantly enhancing the PLAN's operational reach and power projection. The Sichuan class will carry the light Z-9 helicopter, medium lift Z-20 (naval version), the heavy lift Z-8 helicopters, and the Z-10 and Z-21 attack helicopters.

Drone carriers: Turkiye and Iran

Turkiye and Iran are the other two countries that have drone carriers. Turkiye’s TCG Anadolu is based on the Juan Carlos I; the TCG Anadolu is a landing helicopter dock (LHD) type amphibious assault ship. It is 231 meters (758 feet) long and 32 meters wide and boasts a displacement of 27,436 tons. It has a top speed of around 21 knots, a range of 9,000 nautical miles, and can operate at sea for 50 days. TCG Anadolu is equipped with a CODAD (five MAN 16V32/40 Diesel Engines) type Electric Drive/Propulsion. The Electric Drive/Propulsion System of the vessel with 40,000kW power generation capacity will incorporate two Siemens product eSiPOD propellers, each with an 11MW capacity and 360-degree rotation capability, and two bow propellers, each with a 1,500kW capacity. The ship was commissioned on 10 April 2023. TCG Anadolu will be carrying the TB-3 drones and the Kizilelma, which are designed by Baryaktar, as earlier it was designed to carry the F-35, but in 2019, Turkiye was expelled from the F-35 as it acquired the S-400 air defence system from Russia.

The Iranian Shahid Bagheri drone carrier features an approximately 180-meter runway designed for the takeoff and landing of unmanned aerial systems. Notably, it is equipped with a ski-jump to support the launch of the UAVs. The carrier has a length of around 240 meters with a displacement of more than 40.000 tons. It is powered by a MAN B&W Type 8 S70 MC-C diesel engine, delivering a top speed of more than 20 knots. The JAS-313, Mohajer-6, and Ababil-3 are the drones that will be carried by the ship. 

Drones: The Future of Naval Warfare

Not only are the drones launched from the land in the future the ships will be launching these drones, which will be called Drone Carriers. The outcome of the war will not only be determined by how many aircraft carriers a navy has, but also by how many drones it has and how many drone carriers it has. Drones are going to change how navies of the world fight wars.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.