[Foreign Media: China's Navy Sichuan Ship May Enter Service Before End of This Year]
According to a report from the U.S. Institute for War and Peace (ISW) on July 17, 2026: The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is likely preparing to conduct flight tests on its newest amphibious assault ship, the "Sichuan." To enhance long-range combat capabilities, China’s navy may aim to formally commission the Sichuan ship before the end of 2026. The PLA Daily has released images of the "Sichuan" ship—China’s Type 076 amphibious assault vessel—showing that its electromagnetic catapult system and arresting gear have been fully installed, and that the deck has been marked with complete aviation operation identifiers.
The Chinese Navy launched the Sichuan ship in December 2024, and since November 2025 has conducted multiple sea trials. The completion of deck facilities indicates that the ship is soon expected to begin flight testing using its catapult system.
The progression toward catapult system testing suggests the navy is gearing up for formal commissioning of the Sichuan ship by the end of 2026. Flight testing is likely to be the final phase prior to official entry into service. Similarly, China’s other catapult-equipped vessel—the aircraft carrier Fujian—entered service after several months of testing involving catapult launches and aircraft recovery, and after achieving “initial full-flight deck operations” for two months. Given that the Sichuan ship is equipped with only one catapult (compared to three on the Fujian), the Chinese Navy may accelerate its flight test schedule.
To strengthen long-range deployment capabilities—particularly in coordination with two existing carriers operating under the ski-jump takeoff and arrested landing (STOBAR) mode—China’s navy may seek to commission the Sichuan ship as soon as possible. The Sichuan is the world’s only amphibious assault ship equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, and Chinese sources describe it as a “drone mother ship.” ISW-CDOT (Institute for War and Peace - Critical Threats Project) assesses that the vessel was likely specifically designed to support extended maritime deployments and could carry stealthy Attack-21 drones capable of conducting reconnaissance and strike missions.
The Sichuan’s catapult launch capability addresses a major shortcoming of China’s two STOBAR carriers, Liaoning and Shandong—the inability to launch large aircraft required for fleet situational awareness missions. After the Sichuan enters service, it will provide crucial airborne early warning capabilities to the carrier strike groups centered around Liaoning or Shandong, which is vital for fleet survivability and significantly enhances the operational range and effectiveness of STOBAR carrier formations.
Disclaimer: The equipment data above comes from reports published on the Institute for War and Peace website.
[Follow this Toutiao account for more military news]
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871088184041481/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.