PLA Navy news, pics and videos
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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Is there any announcement whatsoever that this is a PLAN MLP?
It does not look right to me...does not look like it has the facilities for LCACs to dock.
In fact, from this angle it looks more like a heavy lift vessel, which uses a lot of the same principles as an MLP, but does it so that they can transport damaged vessels, or other vessels that they would rather not sail long distances.
I will not believe this is an MLP until I see different shots of the vessel to confirm its arrangement, and/or hear an announcement from the Chinese to that effect.
According to hmmvw over on CDF apparently this is indeed a sino-MLP.
There are some links here and three pics from the shipyard (HP Wenchong) on some some internal work on the supposed ship, given project designation H1183... it confirms that the ship is indeed for navy, but no specs I think.
I'm not sure how big it is or what it's meant to carry, but I think it's pretty obvious that the ship as we see it is not yet complete.
USNS Montford Point when it began with lacked its LCAC docks as well and from what I can see they might even be removable?
I'm sure picture updates in the next few months will be indicative...
Well, IMHO, none of those pictures could be used to confirm it as an MLP in the least.
So, just he same, until I see some official announcement that it is a MLP, I will be skeptical.
The MLP is specifically for allowing cargo, equipment, vehicles, material to be transferred from sea going bases or very large military cargo ships (which China does not have) onto the Mobile Landing Platform, for transport to LHDs, LPDs, or to secured beaches via LCAC.
I have not seen the PLAN build but 2-3 LCACs, or practice with more than two at a time.
It just seems unlikely that they would make this leap when they do not have the very underlying structures and vessels, or the experience using them to then go to a MLP and make use of it for what it is intended.
I guess time will tell...but if they do make it an MLP, this is how it will ultimately look:
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Ah, come on Jeff, you're not new to PLA watching -- you know official announcements can often arrive years after we on SDF confirm things... if they arrive at all.
I think PLAN do have a large number of potential STUFTs that can fill the role of military cargo ships which could be used with MLP type ships via Ro-Ro. In fact STUFT ships are quite involved in many PLA exercises involving sea lift, so I'd say it's quite likely.
As for LCACs, the relatively low number in service does indeed cast doubt as to whether their MLPs will be used to carry LCACs. But as with the carrier, they might be content to build up the "motherships" first before having a full complement ready -- for instance they launched and commissioned Liaoning before having a full airwing ready.
So I think there are certainly a variety of rational means that could explain why they're pursuing an MLP type ship before having as comprehensive of an amphibious assault and dedicated sea lift capability as USN.
In any case these ships are something to look out for in future... and we should keep an open mind regarding whether PLAN will configure or use these ships exactly like the USN uses their MLPs.
Yes I do know all about watching the PLAN.
It was indeed years before the carrier program was officially announced...but we could all tell it was a carrier.
This vessel looks like a Heavy Lift Ship to me...I will have to see it outfitted as an MLP before I believe that is what it is.
They simply have not invested the time or money into the infrastructure or training necessary to take this step IMHO. Nor am I sure right now that they would have the need. Their amphibious goals seem to be much closer to home (SCS, ECS, etc.), where such a vessel is not really necessary.
Time will tell whether they have or not in their own eyes.
Fair points.
I think one point which we haven't considered is whether this is a test boat or the first of serial production. If it is a test boat for MLP then I think it would make a bit more sense given PLAN's other amphibious and sealift assets at present.
PLAN have proven to be relatively quick in adopting and testing new technology and new ideas, so I wouldn't put it past them to at least investigate this road and maybe put it into wider scale service faster than one would expect.
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Given PLAN and associated PLAMC will be looking to operate beyond westpac in the medium term they might consider it useful to start developing some technologies and capabilities now, in preparation.
I think one point which we haven't considered is whether this is a test boat or the first of serial production. If it is a test boat for MLP then I think it would make a bit more sense given PLAN's other amphibious and sealift assets at present.
PLAN have proven to be relatively quick in adopting and testing new technology and new ideas, so I wouldn't put it past them to at least investigate this road and maybe put it into wider scale service faster than one would expect.
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Given PLAN and associated PLAMC will be looking to operate beyond westpac in the medium term they might consider it useful to start developing some technologies and capabilities now, in preparation.
If I understand the purpose of an MLP correctly, it is meant to support an invasion that is big enough that you can't load all the equipment onto your LPDs and LHAs and that is far enough away that you can't just make some extra trips.
I can't really imagine China building a ship that says "we want to be able to invade countries far away from China". Their message has always been "we only want to defend ourselves (and get all 'our' territory back)" to the point that even establishing some resupplying bases in the indian ocean would be a big step.
I believe China will seek the capability to project power at greater distances in coming decades.
Also, MLP ships will still be useful in a regional westpac environment as well, even in a taiwan contingency.