Yu Shan made to deter China’s invasion of Taiwan

Asia Times ^

[FarCenter]

Taiwan has started sea trials of its first indigenously built Landing Platform Dock (LPD), known as the Yu Shan, with the ship expected to be commissioned this September, Taiwan News reported.

The Yu Shan was constructed by Taiwanese shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) and will be tasked with carrying out amphibious combat operations supporting Taiwan’s outer islands and disaster relief missions. The vessel can also reportedly serve as a floating hospital.

It is also being viewed as an essential step in the Taiwanese government’s national shipbuilding program, with four additional units planned for the Taiwanese Navy, Naval News reported.

According to CSBC, the Yu Shan has a length of 153 meters and a full load displacement of 10,600 tons. The ship can carry AAV-7 amphibious assault vehicles, landing craft, Hummer vehicles, two helicopters, and 673 troops.

It is also armed with six or seven fast artillery pieces, Square Array Rapid Artillery and two Sea Sword missiles for close-range air defense.

The Naval News report said that the Yu Shan will replace Taiwan’s only operational LPD, the Hsu Hai, formerly known as the USS Pensacola, which first entered US service in 1971 and was transferred to Taiwan in 1999.

Once commissioned, the Yu Shan will be deployed to reinforce Taiwan’s frontline islands, support the self-governing island’s claims in the South China Sea and serve as a key asset in Taiwan’s naval diplomacy.

The Yu Shan will also likely be crucial in reinforcing Taiwan’s frontline islands of Kinmen and Matsu in a strategy of deterrence through protraction against a possible Chinese invasion.

[FarCenter]

Story has more information about Kinmen, Matsu, and other Taiwanese islands.

[Buttons12]

LPD ping

[texas booster]

I think that PRC will continue to buy Taiwanese influence and to takeover the government from within.

[ealgeone]

I’d think they could better spend their defense dollars.