China has started testing a second amphibious assault ship with a third already under construction, according to reports.
The Type 075 vehicle was launched in April, but the start of sea testing is an important step in its development.
In addition to the two vessels under test, China has a third ship under construction that is due to be delivered in early 2021, Newsweek reported.
The People’s Liberation Army ordered a total of eight Type 075 ships. The first ship was assigned to the South Sea Fleet in August, with the trial lasting 19 days.
The tests focus on propulsion, navigation and communication systems.
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Development of the Type 075 started in 2011, Naval News reported. After construction finally started, some experts called China’s progress a “world record” pace.
The Type 075 vehicle is a helicopter dock and would represent a major step forward for China’s ambitions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, the Global Times reported.
The dock can carry 30 attack helicopters and 900 soldiers, meaning that even if China completes all of its ships, the Chinese military will likely need it by the end of the decade to make the first ship fully operational.
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However, ships can also serve to aid disaster relief or humanitarian aid, according to a report by Chinese intelligence services.