The PLAN LCAC Type 726 Yuyi Class

Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
jobjed said:
I think two are going to be built in China with "Ukrainian specialists and Chinese components". The translation is a bit confusing but the ending "in China" kinda gives it away.
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So...how many total?

One already built and being turned over. Will another be built there? Or now just the next two in China?

Three or Four?

These are really large and nice amphibious assault craft and would be very useful in Island Chains and for relatively short runs. But too big to go onboard a large LPD so not really suited for long distant operations.

Will be interesting to see how they are integrated into the fleet(s).
 
plawolf

plawolf

Lieutenant General
I think the original deal was for two to built in Ukraine and two more to be built in China, probably with options for additional units to be built in China, if the Chinese wanted them. Depending on the level of ToT involved, China may also be allowed to build more themselves so long as its for their own use and don't export them.

However, the deal took a long time to come to fruition, far longer than what the PLAN originally had in mind I have no doubt. That coupled with drastically improved cross Strait relations pretty much removed the main reason behind the Zubr purchase in the first place.

With the PLAN committed t LPDs and possible LHDs, it is hard to see where the Zubrs would fit in in terms of PLAN force structure and mission planning since the only thing they are good for is a short hop across the Straits and would not be suited to any operations much future away such as any of the SCS disputed islands.

My guess is that they will stick to the original plan and assign the Zubrs to the East Sea Fleet, but its questionable whether China would even exercise its options to build more of them. I guess that would depend on how much ToT was involved and how much infrastructure China as already built.

If the deal allowed China to build more on its own and they already built a brand new factory to make Zubrs, it would be silly to scrap the project now. Although in that case, I expect the PLAN to play around with the design a little, to either add in onboard facilities and amenities to allow the Zubr to operate longer at sea without badly degrading the combat effectiveness of the troops it is carrying, and/or to use the basic platform to develop new versions for different missions.

OTOH, if the deal just allowed China to assemble more Zubrs form knock down kits, I really don't think the PLAN would bother with additional orders.
 
A

A.Man

Major
PLAN Receiving LCAC

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P

Preux

Junior Member
plawolf said:
I think the original deal was for two to built in Ukraine and two more to be built in China, probably with options for additional units to be built in China, if the Chinese wanted them. Depending on the level of ToT involved, China may also be allowed to build more themselves so long as its for their own use and don't export them.

However, the deal took a long time to come to fruition, far longer than what the PLAN originally had in mind I have no doubt. That coupled with drastically improved cross Strait relations pretty much removed the main reason behind the Zubr purchase in the first place.

With the PLAN committed t LPDs and possible LHDs, it is hard to see where the Zubrs would fit in in terms of PLAN force structure and mission planning since the only thing they are good for is a short hop across the Straits and would not be suited to any operations much future away such as any of the SCS disputed islands.

My guess is that they will stick to the original plan and assign the Zubrs to the East Sea Fleet, but its questionable whether China would even exercise its options to build more of them. I guess that would depend on how much ToT was involved and how much infrastructure China as already built.

If the deal allowed China to build more on its own and they already built a brand new factory to make Zubrs, it would be silly to scrap the project now. Although in that case, I expect the PLAN to play around with the design a little, to either add in onboard facilities and amenities to allow the Zubr to operate longer at sea without badly degrading the combat effectiveness of the troops it is carrying, and/or to use the basic platform to develop new versions for different missions.

OTOH, if the deal just allowed China to assemble more Zubrs form knock down kits, I really don't think the PLAN would bother with additional orders.
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The fact that they ploughed on with this deal suggest to me they do indeed have something in mind for them, the PLA was never shy in scrapping deals that took too long, was no longer useful to them, or which domestic developments have caught up and rendered the deal no longer useful - one needs look no further than the Il-76 and Su-27 assembly deals.

So the fact that the PLAN chose to carry on with this deal suggest they have something they want - whether it was the ToT or the Zubr itself it is difficult to say.

It's not going to be easy to extend the Zubr's operational time because of what it is - a hovercraft with gas turbines, they just don't last that long with reasonable fuel load, and can't be made all that stable compared to pretty much any conventional hull form out there. As such, with their large capacity, rapid speed and short range, they are going to be fairly blunt instruments and would send a rather unmistakable message depending on where they are stationed. There are only so many places they can usefully reach.

The Fujian ESF bases would mean Taiwan. NSF would mean North Korea. Shantou or other SSF ports would mean.. nobody. Whereas Sanya or Xisha would clearly target Vietnam. And as none of the above are really politically feasible, I would suspect one of the safely out of the way ports like Zhoushan, at any rate a port which is well out of range of any potential targets. Zhoushan also has the advantage of being fairly close to China's hovercraft testing facilities.
 
navyreco

navyreco

Senior Member
First Ukraine built Zubr class LCAC officially delivered to Chinese Navy (PLAN)
On April 12, 2013 in Feodosiya, representatives of the state-owned defense conglomerate "Ukroboronprom" and Chinese Navy officials signed the certificate of acceptance for the first Zubr (project 1232.2) amphibious hovercraft. On the Ukrainian side the document was signed by Dmitry Peregudov, Ukrspecexport General Director.

Ukrspecexport is a state-owned intermediary company for export and import of Ukrainian military products and services.

During the ceremony, Chinese officials expressed their appreciation for the quality of work performed by Ukrainian enterprises.

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The first Zubr LCAC for China was built at "Feodosiya shipbuilding company" and adapted to Chinese Navy needs. Construction of the second ship is onging for the Chinese customer. The Chinese Navy has placed an order for four craft at a reported cost of 315 million US dollars. Two are being built by Feodosiya shipbuilding company, and a second pair of vessels will be built in China under the supervision of Ukrainian technicians.
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F

Franklin

Captain
China's relation with Taiwan maybe good today, but it can turn sour tomorrow. I don't think that the PLAN under the current circumstances will go beyond the four that it has on contract. Its a nice addition for the PLA marines to have. It gives them more options in times of conflict.
 
asif iqbal

asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
Zubr can lift a very heavy load, travel fast and far the advantages are clear and many

In a time when troops and equipment are needed on a island out at sea the Zubr is invaluable
 
L

Lion

Senior Member
asif iqbal said:
Zubr can lift a very heavy load, travel fast and far the advantages are clear and many

In a time when troops and equipment are needed on a island out at sea the Zubr is invaluable
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Zubr using gasoline in fact is very energy hungry. It can travel further than standard LCAC but not even than a LST.

Zubr is effective for countries like Greece, Indonesia and Philippines but for China? The only area Zubr comes in handy is Hainan island and Taiwan.
 
bd popeye

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Lion said:
Zubr using gasoline in fact is very energy hungry. It can travel further than standard LCAC but not even than a LST.

Zubr is effective for countries like Greece, Indonesia and Philippines but for China? The only area Zubr comes in handy is Hainan island and Taiwan.
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I don't think they use gasoline.. but they are powered by a gas turbine. They may be using jet fuel. similar to USN CGs & DDGs. Now if they are indeed gas powered that would be a very inefficient way of fueling these ships.

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High-temperature gas turbine engines provide the power to drive the air-cushion blowers and the air propellers. The craft has four blowers model NO-10, fitted with axial operating wheels of 2.5m diameter, to generate the air cushion. The air thrust for movement is powered by three four-bladed, reversible, variable-pitch air propellers, 5.5m in diameter. The air propellers are mounted inside ring shrouds.

Zubr is equipped with two electric power plants. Each power plant has two gas turbine generators, each rated at 100kW. Control of the ship and systems is carried out from a main control station, a central control room and through various remote control panels.
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L

Lion

Senior Member
bd popeye said:
I don't think they use gasoline.. but they are powered by a gas turbine. They may be using jet fuel. similar to USN CGs & DDGs. Now if they are indeed gas powered that would be a very inefficient way of fueling these ships.

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Click to expand...

Thanks for the correction. I may have mix up some info. Nevertheless , Zubr has very short range of 500km.
 
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