China Flexes Island-Seizing Capability in Contested Waters

Newsweek

17-07-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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China demonstrated its island-seizing capabilities by deploying air-cushioned landing craft in the South China Sea, where it is engaged in territorial disputes with neighboring countries.
In contrast to more-conventional landing boats, air-cushioned landing craft—also known as Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC)—are capable of rapidly reaching landing sites that are difficult to access due to their speed and cross-country capability, an expert told Newsweek.
Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for further comment via email.
Why It Matters
China's territorial claims in the South China Sea cover most of the waters and overlap with those of others, including the Philippines, an ally of the United States. The East Asian power has built outposts on islands under its control, aiming to assert its sovereignty in the region.
As part of its military buildup, China now possesses the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 ships and submarines—including a rapidly growing fleet of amphibious vessels designed to project military power—such as troops and tanks—from sea to shore.
In addition to remote islands in the South China Sea, amphibious vessels play a key role in potential conflicts across the Taiwan Strait, which lies between China and Taiwan. Beijing claims the self-governed island as part of its territory and has threatened to take it by force.
What To Know
The Chinese military released two undated sets of photos on social media on Tuesday, showing its LCAC fleet assigned to the Southern Theater Command conducting maritime exercises and combat training aimed at further enhancing amphibious combat capabilities.
In one set of photos, an LCAC was seen landing on a beach at an undisclosed location, while the other—reported to have been taken at a "certain area" in the South China Sea—shows at least three LCACs sailing in formation and entering an amphibious warship.
Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst, identified the LCACs shown in both releases as the Type 726, which the U.S. military designates as the Yuyi-class. This class of LCAC is designed to transport armored vehicles from amphibious warships to landing zones ashore.
Unlike preceding LCAC classes, which were limited to carrying personnel and light cargo between 6 and 16 tons, the Type 726 can transport about 60 tons of payload—enough for one heavily armored vehicle, such as a tank, in addition to troops and lighter vehicles.
China operates another type of large LCAC, the Zubr-class. It acquired two units built in Ukraine and assembled two more using parts delivered from Ukraine, Luck told Newsweek. As of 2023, another pair of vessels had been manufactured with minor modifications.
The Zubr-class has a displacement of over 500 tons and can transport three tanks, with a top speed exceeding 50 knots [57.5 mph]. The Type 726 displaces 180 tons and can reach up to 55 knots [63 mph].
On July 15, 2025, Chinese Type 726 Landing Craft, Air Cushion sail in formation in the South China Sea.
On July 15, 2025, Chinese Type 726 Landing Craft, Air Cushion sail in formation in the South China Sea.
Chinese military
By comparison, the LCACs operated by the U.S. Navy have a payload capacity of 60 to 75 tons and a top speed of over 40 knots [46 mph]. They are capable of accessing more than 70 percent of the world's coastline, while conventional landing craft can reach only about 15 percent.
What People Are Saying
The Pentagon commented in its Chinese military report 2024: "The [People's Liberation Army Navy]'s expanding fleet of large modern amphibious warships enable it to conduct a wide range of expeditionary operations wherever [People's Republic of China] interests are threatened or in support of [People's Republic of China] participation in internationally sanctioned operations."
Alex Luck, an Australia-based naval analyst, told Newsweek: "[People's Liberation Army Navy] maintains an operational base for Zubr and Type 726 off Zhanjiang on Nansan Island … The location highlights the utility of the designs around the [South China Sea], in addition to serving as an operational hub, from which the Type 726 can also support the amphibious assault fleet wherever needed."
What Happens Next
Earlier this year, footage circulating on social media showed that China had constructed landing barges that could be used for the rapid transfer of tanks and other vehicles from ships to shore.