BANGKOK – On Friday, China commenced sea trials for its most sophisticated amphibious assault ship, following the recent commissioning of a new aircraft carrier. This move marks another step in the swift modernization of its naval forces, currently the largest in the world.

The vessel, known as the Sichuan Type 076, departed from the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. This ship uniquely blends features of both an aircraft carrier and previous amphibious assault vessels, equipped to deploy aircraft alongside landing craft packed with troops.

Although smaller in scale compared to China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which was commissioned on November 7, the Type 076 boasts a displacement of approximately 40,000 tons. Both ships were designed and constructed within China.

While detailed technical data remains undisclosed, amphibious assault ships generally offer greater speed than carriers, providing enhanced operational flexibility. However, they typically have lighter defenses and a reduced capacity for carrying a variety of aircraft.

Despite having more ships than the U.S. Navy, China’s naval capabilities trail behind in terms of aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and other vital vessels. Nonetheless, China is undertaking a significant shipbuilding initiative, which aligns with President Xi Jinping’s broader military modernization agenda.

Xi’s stated aim is to have a fully modernized force by 2035 and one that is “world class” by mid-century, which is widely interpreted as one whose capabilities rival those of the United States.

One of Xi’s goals is to take the democratically self-governed island of Taiwan, and he has not ruled out the use of force.

Amphibious assault ships would likely be critical for an invasion of Taiwan, though the island is also bristling with missile defense systems that could make any attempt to use them costly.

The Sichuan compares roughly to the U.S. Navy’s America-class and Wasp-class amphibious assault ships. However, it is equipped with the same modern electromagnetic catapult system that has been successfully tested on the Fujian carrier, while the American ships lack such launch systems and instead can only operate helicopters and short or vertical take-off and landing planes.

Official Chinese media reported that the electromagnetic system would allow the Sichuan to launch fixed-wing aircraft in addition to helicopters and STOVL and VTOL planes, but it was not yet clear whether it would be limited to drones or whether it could launch crewed fixed-wing aircraft like fighter jets.

That will likely become known during the later stages of the sea trials as the Sichuan’s capabilities are tested.

China has not said how long the Sichuan sea trials are to last.