China presents 20,000-ton Landing Platform Dock in Saudi Arabia for amphibious assaults.

At World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, China State Shipbuilding Corporation presented a scale model of a new 20,000-ton landing platform dock.

At WDS 2026 in Riyadh, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) displayed a model of a unnammed 20,000-ton landing platform dock, potentially as a lighter export alternative to the Type 071 actually in service within the Chinese Navy. The model was configured with a well deck, vehicle spaces, aviation facilities for up to three helicopters, and a defensive combat system including surface-to-air missiles and close-in weapon systems.
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When compared to other LPDs, CSSC's 20,000-ton model remains smaller than the American San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, which displaces about 25,000 tons full load, but is almost twice as large as the 10,600-ton Taiwanese Yushan-class. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

China State Shipbuilding Corporation revealed a scale model of a 20,000-ton landing platform dock, with overall dimensions of 210 meters in length, 28 meters in beam, and 17.4 meters in height. Performance data exhibited included a maximum speed of 23 knots and a range of 8,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots, indicating an endurance suitable for long-distance deployments. The ship’s complement was stated as 150 personnel, while the internal arrangement was described as three vehicle cabins and one dock, confirmed by the presence of a well deck. The combat system fit included surface-to-air missiles, one 76 mm naval gun, and two six-barrel 30 mm close-in weapon systems, alongside aviation facilities capable of handling three helicopters.

A landing platform dock (LPD) is a naval ship designed to transport and land ground forces using a combination of landing craft and helicopters. Its core feature is a floodable well deck that allows landing craft or amphibious vehicles to deploy while the ship remains offshore, reducing vulnerability near coastlines. Unlike simpler landing ships, an LPD also includes a flight deck and hangar, enabling vertical insertion of troops and equipment by helicopter. In operational terms, LPDs serve as the central connectors between naval task groups and forces ashore, supporting amphibious assaults, logistics transfer, and non-combat missions.

This 20,000-ton landing platform dock can be linked to earlier LPD construction carried out by CSSC subsidiaries, primarily Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. Hudong-Zhonghua has been responsible for building the Type 071 landing platform dock class, a series of 8 large amphibious ships that entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy from 2007 onward. The same shipyard also constructed the export Type 071E variant delivered to the Royal Thai Navy in April 2023, marking China’s first export of a landing platform dock. These programs established serial production experience in ships exceeding 20,000 tonnes and integrated well decks, vehicle decks, and aviation facilities.

When compared with the Type 071, the 20,000-ton landing platform dock model aligns closely in overall dimensions but differs in displacement and some capacity indicators. The Type 071 possesses a full-load displacement of about 25,000 tons, a length of 210 meters, a beam of 28 meters, a draft of about 7 meters, a maximum speed of 25 knots, and a range of 10,000 nautical miles at 18 knots. Type 071 ships can embark 600 to 800 troops, carry up to four Type 726 air-cushioned landing craft in the well deck, operate four Harbin Z-8 helicopters, and transport dozens of amphibious vehicles. By comparison, the 20,000-ton model reflects a lighter configuration with reduced displacement, shorter stated range, and a smaller aviation footprint.

China’s amphibious ship inventory includes multiple categories beyond landing platform docks, ranging from traditional landing ship tanks to large helicopter-capable assault ships. Earlier generations emphasized direct beach landings and short-range transport, while newer ships integrate well decks and flight decks to enable over-the-horizon landings using landing craft and helicopters. The introduction of Type 071 landing platform docks and subsequent Type 075 landing helicopter docks expanded China’s ability to transport troops, armored vehicles, and supplies over long distances. These ships are used for amphibious operations as well as disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and evacuation missions.

When compared to other LPDs, CSSC's 20,000-ton model remains smaller than the American San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, displacing about 25,000 t full load, measuring roughly 208 m in length, with a flight deck, well deck, and a troop and vehicle lift capacity that supports multiple landing craft, helicopters, and embarked forces. European navies, for their parts, maintain smaller LPDs such as the Dutch Rotterdam-class and the Spanish Galicia-class. In Southeast Asia, the Makassar-class and its variants are in operation with several navies, typically displacing in the range of 12,400 t full, while Taiwan’s Yushan-class is clearly smaller than CSSC's proposal, with a displacement of around 10,600 t.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.