*Beijing: *
China has launched its first amphibious assault ship, which would enableground forces to carry out attacks on enemy territory from sea.
The ship was launched in Shanghai on Wednesday, state-run Xinhua newsagency reported.
With a strong capacity in amphibious operations and performing a variety oftasks, the ship is independently developed by China, the report said.
The ship will next undergo equipment debugging, mooring and navigationaltrials as planned, it said.
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The ship will have a strong capability to carry out amphibious combat andother tasks, state-run China Daily said quoting a statement from theChinese navy.
Observers familiar with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s hardwarehave pointed out that the new ship is the first in the Type 075 class ofamphibious assault ship, which is also defined as a type of landinghelicopter dock, the report said.
In a major rejig of its military doctrine, China since 2013 has stepped upthe development of its navy, which included building several aircraftcarriers besides submarines, frigates and assault ships as part of itsefforts to expand its global influence.
