Type 726 LCAC

The Type 726 LCAC (with NATO reporting name Yuyi class) is a class of air-cushioned landing craft used by the People's Liberation Army Navy. Six Yuyi-class LCACs are believed to be in service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with the first one (3320) being seen at the end of 2007. It is thought that the vessels were delivered in two batches, with the first three LCACs reportedly powered by Ukrainian UGT 6000 engines, while the remaining three are believed to use the indigenous QC-70 gas turbines. Up to four Yuyi-class LCACs can be carried in the well deck of the 210 m-long Yuzhao-class landing platform dock (LPD).

Class overview
Builders: Jiangnan Shipyard
Operators:  People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force
Preceded by: Type 724 LCAC
In commission: 2010
Building: 5[1]
Active: 16[1]
General characteristics
Type: Air-cushioned landing craft
Displacement:
  • 150 tons (normal)
  • 160 tons (full load)
Length: 33 metres
Beam: 16.8 metres
Propulsion: 2 gas turbine engines
Speed: 80 knots[2]
Range: 320 km[2]
Complement:
  • 5 crew
  • 60 - 70 troops
  • 1 Type 96 main battle tank or 2 ZBD-05 infantry fighting vehicle
Armament:
  • 2 x 14.5 mm machine guns
  • 2 x 7.62 mm light machine gun

The Type 726 LCAC is greater in size than the US LCACs in service, but smaller than the Zubr-class LCAC and can carry only one Type 96 main battle tank or four armored vehicles. With one main battle tank and 60 to 70 troopers on board of each LCAC, one LPD is able to send 4 main battle tanks and 300 troopers, i.e. 1 battalion, in one operation.

The early variant, the Type 726, have encountered a number of technical problems that temporarily halted production of the class. This forced the four Type 071 LPDs to limit their projection capabilities to landing craft, amphibious IFVs and helicopters exclusively (not main battle tanks). However, recent commercial satellite imagery of China’s Jiangnan Shipyard near Shanghai shows that the country is producing additional Yuyi-class LCACs. Eight Type 726As that appeared to be nearly completed could be seen at the yard on 14 October 2020.

Eight Type 726s were seen at a Chinese at Damiao Naval Base on Nansan Island on 26 September 2020.

Operators
 China

See also

References
  1. "China building more Yuyi-class LCACs". Jane's 360.
  2. "China Started Serial Production of New Type 726A LCAC for PLAN". Navy Recognition.
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