Type 073 landing ship

A Type 073A landing ship.

The Type 073 is a family of Chinese medium landing ships in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy.

Type 073

Class overview
In commission	Early 1980s [1] -2012 [2]
Completed	1+ [1]
Retired	1+ [2] [3]
General characteristics
Displacement	1690 tons (standard) [1]
Length	77.4 m (254 ft) [1]
Beam	10.4 m (34 ft) [1]
Draft	3 m (9.8 ft) [1]
Speed	18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) [1]
Range	1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km; 1,200 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) [1]
Complement	60 [1]
Sensors & processing systems	Fin Curve navigastion radar [1]
Armament	2 x twin 25mm gun [1]

The Type 073 (NATO reporting name: Yundao) ^[1] were retired and may be in reserve as of 2024. ^[3]

Type 073III

Class overview
Builders	Zhonghua Shipyard [4]
Built	c. 1991 [5]
In commission	1994-present [6]
Completed	1
Active	1 [6]
General characteristics
Displacement	1460 tons (standard) [6]
Length	87 m (285 ft) [6]
Beam	12.6 m (41 ft) [6]
Draft	2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) [6]
Propulsion	2 × 6PA6I-280 diesel engines at 3,540 kW (4,750 hp) each [6] 2 shafts [5]
Speed	17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) [6]
Capacity	6 AAV, or 180 troops, or 250 tons cargo
Complement	74 [6]
Sensors & processing systems	Type 760 radar [6] Type 753C radar [6]
Armament	1 x twin 76mm PJ-76F gun [6]

One Type 073III (NATO reporting name: Yudeng) was built. ^{[4] [6]} It was decommissioned in 2010. It was later converted and used as a supply ship for the South China Sea with two deck hatches and a crane. ^[6]

Type 073A

Class overview
Builders	Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard [5] Lushun Shipyard [5] Qingdao Naval Dockyard [5] Wuhu Shipyard [5]
Built	c. 2003-2004 [5]
In commission	2003 [6] /2004 [5] -present
Completed	10 [6]
Active	10 [6]
General characteristics
Displacement	1550 tons (standard) [6]
Length	87 m (285 ft) [6]
Beam	12.6 m (41 ft) [6]
Draft	2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) [6]
Propulsion	2 × 6PA6I-280 diesel engines at 3,540 kW (4,750 hp) each [6] 2 shafts [5]
Speed	17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) [6]
Capacity	6 AAV, or 180 troops, or 250 tons cargo
Complement	74 [6]
Sensors & processing systems	Type 760 radar [6] Type 753C radar [6]
Armament	1 x twin 76mm PJ-76F gun [6]

The Type 073A (NATO reporting name: Yunshu) ^[6] (also called Type 074IV) is based on the Type 073III. ^[5]

See also

• List of active People's Liberation Army Navy ships

References

1. Saunders 2009, p. 154.
2. Saunders 2015, p. 127.
3. Erickson, Kennedy & Martinson 2024, p. 137.
4. Saunders 2015, p. 154.
5. Saunders 2015, p. 155.
6. Erickson, Kennedy & Martinson 2024, p. 496.

Sources

• Erickson, Andrew S.; Kennedy, Conor M.; Martinson, Ryan D., eds. (November 2024). Chinese Amphibious Warfare: Prospects for a Cross-Strait Invasion. CMSI Studies in China Maritime Development. Vol. 8. Naval War College Press. ISBN   978-1-935352-86-0.
• Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2009). Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. ISBN   978-0-7106-2888-6.
• Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2015). Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016. Jane's Information Group. ISBN   978-0-7106-3143-5.