China's Navy continues to close the gap...via Navy Recognition.

Photo via Navy Recognition.

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a wholly owned subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC, the largest shipbuilding group in China), launched on the same day near Shanghai three new vessels for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy): The fourth Type 071 landing platform dock (Yuzhao-class LPD), the twenty-first Type 054A Frigate (Jiangkai II class) and the fifth Type 815G ELINT/SIGINT vessel.

On the same day China launched 3 military vessels (representing over 32,000 tons combined) showing to the world its naval shipbuilding industry's might.

Type 071 landing platform dock

Type 071 (Yuzhao-class) LPD are the main amphibious platforms of the PLAN. They displace 20,000 tons, measure 210 meters long and 28 meters wide. The ship complement is 120 sailors.

Each Type 071 has the capacity to accomodate one marine battalion, including 500 to 800 troops, and 15 to 20 amphibious armored vehicles. The well deck may hold four Yuyi-class LCAC.

The ship is armed with one 76 mm gun and four 30 mm close-in weapon systems. 

The head of Type 071 class, Kunlun Shan (hull number 998), was launched in December 2006 and commissioned in November 2007. The second vessel of the class, Jinggang Shan (hull number 999), was launched in November 2010 and commissioned in October 2011. The third Type 071 LPD Changbai Shan was launched in September 2011. All three vessel are deployed with the PLAN's South Sea Fleet.

Go over to NVLRec website to read the whole thing.  One thing is certain though.  While the US Navy and Marine Corps are attempting to sell the public on the idea that a ship fleet that numbers less than 300, with a number of them being what we once considered non-combatants is viable, the Chinese are building a proper go-to-war fleet.

Not only are they building real deal Destroyers and Frigates...vessels designed to do the dirty work in any conflict...but they're also building an impressive power projection navy.  Once they get their LHDs into service you will see outward nervousness on the part of many of our allies in the region.

We desperately need to orient away from a Marine Corps that is biased toward counter insurgency (SPMAGTF-CR) and back to a balanced middleweight force (MEU) that is able to handle the full range of military operations.