Latest news with #AlexLuck9
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
China Eyes More Overseas Missions for Growing Naval Fleet
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China is building a new fleet of replenishment ships—capable of providing supplies to other vessels at sea—as the East Asian power's navy expands its overseas presence. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters China possesses over 370 naval vessels, making it the world's largest navy by hull count and surpassing its rival, the United States. Over the past year, Chinese warships have conducted missions farther from home—including in Europe and Africa, as well as around Australia in the South Pacific—challenging America's naval dominance. According to a Pentagon report, China has a "sizable force of highly capable logistical replenishment ships," which support long-distance, long-duration deployments—such as recently concluded dual aircraft carrier operations in the broader western Pacific. What To Know Since early June, photos circulated on social media indicate that China has launched and tested several newly built Type 903A replenishment ships. A number of vessels from this class—as well as their predecessor, the Type 903—are already in service. Meanwhile one other newly produced Type 903A may have been undergoing sea trials already. The AOR-design is again in active production both at Wuhu Shipyard and COMEC (formerly GSI), Guangzhou. Same source. — Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) June 5, 2025 Both the Type 903 and Type 903A vessels can carry fuel oil, fresh water, cargo, and ammunition, according to open-source information. Australia-based naval analyst Alex Luck estimates that China has likely constructed an additional four Type 903A ships. The new ships were constructed at shipyards in Guangzhou and Wuhu, the analyst wrote in a January article for the specialist outlet Naval News. It remains to be seen whether the new ships are Type 903A vessels or further improved versions of this class. The Type 903/A fleet forms the backbone of China's replenishment capability, Luck told Newsweek, adding that China's doubling of this type of ship is not unreasonable, given both the growing demand and the need to build resilience for conflict scenarios. Despite drawing less attention than the larger Type 901 replenishment ships, the Type 903 ships are considered "far more crucial" to China's navy for operating across island chains in the western Pacific, as well as more expeditionary missions, the analyst explained. China's acquisition of multiple new replenishment ships indicates its seriousness in pursuing the goal of having a world class military by mid-century, Tom Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told Newsweek. The Chinese Type 903A replenishment ship CNS Kekexilihu is seen in Qingdao, China, on April 20, 2024. The Chinese Type 903A replenishment ship CNS Kekexilihu is seen in Qingdao, China, on April 20, 2024. Anna Ratkoglo/Sputnik via AP What People Are Saying Tom Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told Newsweek: "Platforms like [replenishment ships] are essential for furthering the [People's Liberation Army] Navy's reach as it operates further and further from home on a regular basis." Australia-based naval analyst Alex Luck told Newsweek: "I've long held the view that the current Type 903/A-fleet is rather insufficient considering the very high rotational tempo the type experiences across [People's Liberation Army Navy] operations." What Happens Next China continues its naval buildup by launching more warships while operating 307 shipyards, at least 35 of which are linked to military or national security projects.
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Adds More Firepower Invasion Fleet
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China is expected to commission a new large naval vessel, which is designed for amphibious warfare in island-landing operations across the contested Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters China has long claimed that Taiwan, a self-governed island, is part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert that claim. Meanwhile, its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea cover most of the waters, which overlap with those of neighboring nations. According to the Pentagon, the Chinese military has built the world's largest navy by hull count, with over 370 ships and submarines in service, including the Type 075 amphibious assault ships, which have operated in waters near Taiwan and in the South China Sea. What To Know A photo that circulated on social media last week shows the fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship, with hull number 34, was pierside at an undisclosed location in China. Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst, said the warship is "supposedly close to service entry." Finally an image of the fourth Type 075 LHD, based with South Sea Fleet, with her hull number and supposedly close to service entry. — Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) May 10, 2025 According to the analyst, the currently unnamed ship has been assigned to China's Southern Theater Command, which is responsible for securing the South China Sea and supporting the Eastern Theater Command in military operations against Taiwan, the Pentagon assessed. China operates three Type 075 amphibious assault ships—CNS Hainan, CNS Guangxi, and CNS Anhui—with hull numbers 31, 32, and 33, respectively. These vessels help safeguard the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty, according to the state-run Global Times. In its report on Chinese military power, the Pentagon noted that the "highly capable" Type 075 amphibious assault ship provides China with an "all-aspect expeditionary capability," including the ability to carry landing craft, troops, armored vehicles and helicopters. Regarding the fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship, the Pentagon's report—released in December 2024—said the ship was launched in 2023 and was expected to be operational the following year. The Chinese military has yet to announce the ship's commissioning date. Aerial view of the Chinese Type 075 amphibious assault ship CNS Hainan moored at Macun Port in Hainan Province of China on April 22, 2025. Aerial view of the Chinese Type 075 amphibious assault ship CNS Hainan moored at Macun Port in Hainan Province of China on April 22, 2025. Luo Yunfei/China News Service/VCG via AP Before commissioning another Type 075 warship, China launched its successor—the Type 076 amphibious assault ship—last December. This "new-generation" naval ship is designed to support flight operations of fixed-wing aircraft using a catapult and arresting system. What People Are Saying Australia-based naval analyst Alex Luck said: "Finally an image of the fourth Type 075 [amphibious assault ship], based with South Sea Fleet, with her hull number and supposedly close to service entry." The Pentagon's Chinese military power report read: "The PLAN's newest amphibious ships, the [Type 075 amphibious assault ships] and [Type 071 amphibious transport dock ships], are modern platforms capable of regional and global expeditionary missions in support of wartime and non-war contingency operations singly or as part of capable and flexible task groups composed of multiple amphibious ships and surface combatants." PLAN stands for People's Liberation Army Navy, the official name of the Chinese navy. What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether China will continue building additional Type 075 amphibious assault ships or shift its shipbuilding capacity to the more advanced Type 076 warships.
