China’s Type 075 Ship: The Game-Changer in the Taiwan Strait Standoff?

Type 075 ship: The ace up Xi's sleeve? All about China's trump card for Taiwan takeover

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Shadow Over Taiwan

In the tense waters of the Taiwan Strait, a new and imposing silhouette has emerged on the horizon. China’s Type 075 ship, a massive amphibious assault vessel, is no longer just a concept on paper or a ship in dry dock. It’s a fully operational reality, actively participating in high-stakes military exercises that directly challenge Taiwan’s sovereignty. This isn’t just about naval power; it’s about projecting a very specific, and very threatening, capability: the ability to launch a full-scale amphibious invasion. The recent “Justice Mission-2025” drills, which simulated a blockade of the island, placed these vessels at the heart of Beijing’s show of force . So, what exactly is this so-called ‘trump card,’ and why should the world be paying close attention?

What is the Type 075 Ship? A Technical Breakdown

Often referred to by its NATO reporting name, the Yushen-class, the Type 075 ship represents a quantum leap in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) power projection abilities. Before its arrival, China lacked a true, large-deck amphibious assault platform capable of orchestrating complex, large-scale landings from the sea .

Here’s a look at its impressive specifications:

  • Displacement: Between 35,000 and 40,000 tons, making it one of the largest amphibious assault ships in the world .
  • Length: Approximately 232 meters (761 feet) .
  • Speed: A top speed of around 23 knots .
  • Air Wing: Its expansive flight deck can support the simultaneous operation of multiple helicopters, including the PLA Army’s Z-10 attack helicopters and various transport models .
  • Amphibious Capability: The well deck at its stern can launch and recover air-cushioned landing craft (like the Type 726 LCAC), which are essential for rapidly moving troops, tanks, and heavy equipment from ship to shore without needing a port .

In essence, the Type 075 acts as a mobile command center and launchpad for an entire marine battalion. It can carry hundreds of troops, their vehicles, and all their supplies, then project them deep inland using its helicopter fleet or onto the beachhead via its landing craft. This integrated capability is what makes it such a potent tool for any potential China-Taiwan scenario.

The Type 075 Ship in Action: Recent Drills and Strategic Signaling

The theoretical threat of the Type 075 became a stark reality during the large-scale military exercises conducted by the PRC from December 29-30, 2025 . These weren’t routine patrols; they were a meticulously planned simulation of a full blockade and invasion of Taiwan, dubbed “Justice Mission-2025” .

During these drills, Chinese forces practiced a range of aggressive tactics, including firing over two dozen rockets and rehearsing the seizure of ports—key objectives in any invasion plan . The presence of the Type 075 in these exercises was a clear signal. It demonstrated that the PLAN is not only building these ships but is also actively integrating them into its most critical and provocative operational scenarios. The drills explicitly tested the “capabilities of integrated operations… and of neutralizing the enemy at maximum range,” with the Type 075 serving as a central node for amphibious operations . This direct involvement in exercises that encircle Taiwan underscores its role as a primary instrument of Beijing’s coercive diplomacy.

Fleet Status: How Many Type 075 Ships Does China Have?

China has moved with remarkable speed to build out its fleet of these strategic assets. Since the first ship, the Hainan, was commissioned in April 2021, the PLAN has officially added three more to its ranks . The current fleet of four operational Type 075 ships includes:

  1. Hainan (hull number 31)
  2. Guangxi (hull number 32)
  3. Anhui
  4. Hubei (commissioned as recently as August 2025)

This rapid commissioning of four major capital ships in under five years highlights the priority the Chinese military places on enhancing its amphibious warfare capabilities. Furthermore, reports suggest that an even larger successor, the Type 076, capable of operating fixed-wing unmanned aircraft, is already in development, indicating that this is just the beginning of China’s big-deck ambitions .

Strategic Implications for Taiwan and the Region

The arrival of the Type 075 fundamentally alters the military balance in the Western Pacific. For Taiwan, it represents a direct and credible threat to its territorial integrity. The ship’s ability to launch a multi-axis assault—combining airborne troops from helicopters and a mechanized beachhead from landing craft—creates a complex defensive nightmare for Taipei’s forces.

Beyond Taiwan, the regional implications are profound. The Type 075 significantly boosts China’s ability to project power far beyond its shores, not just for an invasion of Taiwan but also for asserting its claims in the South China Sea or responding to other contingencies. This enhanced capability challenges the long-standing naval dominance of the United States and its allies in the region. As noted by experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a leading Washington-based think tank, the Type 075 “enables significant new capabilities for the PLAN and forms the heart of its emerging expeditionary force” .

Conclusion: More Than Just a Ship

The Type 075 ship is far more than a collection of steel and advanced technology. It is a physical manifestation of China’s strategic intent and its growing military confidence. Its active participation in drills designed to simulate a takeover of Taiwan is a deliberate and unambiguous message to Taipei, Washington, and the world. While an actual invasion remains a complex and high-risk endeavor, the existence and deployment of these vessels have undeniably raised the stakes in the Taiwan Strait. They are not just an ‘ace up Xi’s sleeve,’ but a card that is now being played openly on the table, reshaping the security landscape for years to come.

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