Name Yuhai-class In commission 1995-present | Succeeded by Type 074A | |
 | ||
Builders Wuhu Shipyard Wuhu, Anhui Operators People's Liberation Army Navy
Sri Lanka Navy Preceded by Type 079 (Yuling-class) | ||
The Type 074-class landing ship (NATO reporting name: Yuhai-class) is a class of landing ship medium (LSM) of the People's Liberation Army Navy. They were built at Wuhu Shipyard of Wuhu, Anhui from 1995 to 2000. Although entering service in the mid-1990s, the origin of Type 074 dates to almost three decades earlier in the mid-1960s, and Type 074 is the result of experience learned from around half a dozen models earlier.
Contents
Background
The preceding Type 079-class landing ship suffers from inherit design flaws so that in order to achieve ease of production, it could be mass-produced, the hull shape was a very simply flat bottom design, and this is not good for sailing in poor weathers. As a result, PLAN issued a request of upgrade of the Type 079-class in the 1990s. However, as study progressed, it was discovered that in order to reach the requirement, major redesign is needed, and the cost would be prohibitive. The only alternative was to enlarge the successful design of the older Type 271-class landing ships, hence Type 074-class was borne as a cross between the Type 079 and the Type 271-classes, with the upgraded equipment of the former installed on an enlarged hull of the latter.
Design
This class of landing ship is capable of making oceanic voyages in moderate sea states. They are used for tactical beach lodgement, and can carry up to 100 tonnes of cargo. Indicative maximum loads include either 2 main battle tanks, or 6 light amphibious tanks, or 350 fully equipped troops. The ships of this class are fitted with three Type 61 dual-25mm antiaircraft artillery guns. Some units are also fitted with Type 81H 122mm multiple rocket launchers. Although on board equipment of Type 074-class is derived from that of Type 079, advancement in Chinese technological and industrial capability enabled the adaptation of automation, which significantly reduced the number of crew needed almost by a half, down to 56 from the original 109 of Type 079-class.
Operators
Type 074A Yubei-class landing ship
The Type 074A Yubei-class landing ship features a totally different design to the base Type 074. It is has a wave-piercing catamaran hull among other changes. 8 are in active service.