Images Indicate China Received Blueprints to Produce Type 728 Armored Hovercraft
The two new Type 728 LCACs indicate that China will build modified versions of the vessel to fit the People's Liberation Army Navy's requirements.
Two new Type 728/Zubr-class Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) appeared on Chinese social media in July, indicating that China likely received the blueprints to manufacture them. However, the new Type 728s differ from the four China previously purchased from Ukraine in 2014, indicating that China will adapt the hovercraft to fit their own requirements as they begin production.
Two new Type 728/Zubr-class Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) appeared on Chinese social media in July, indicating that China likely received the blueprints to manufacture them. The new LCACs increase the number of Type 728s that are in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) inventory to six. However, the new Type 728s differ from the four China previously purchased from Ukraine in 2014, indicating that China will adapt the hovercraft to fit their own requirements they begin production.
Type 728/Zubr LCAC History and Characteristics
The Type 728 – also known as the Zubr and NATO reporting name: Pomornik – is an armored hovercraft designed in the 1980s by the Soviet Union. Almaz Shipbuilding Company produced the initial batch of hovercraft in St. Petersburg in 1988 after the Soviet Navy approved the design. Ukroboronprom also produced the hovercraft at its Feodosiya shipbuilding facility before the March 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia.
The Type 728 – also known as the Zubr and NATO reporting name: Pomornik – is an armored hovercraft designed in the 1980s by the Soviet Union. Almaz Shipbuilding Company produced the initial batch of hovercraft in St. Petersburg in 1988 after the Soviet Navy approved the design. Ukroboronprom also produced the hovercraft at its Feodosiya shipbuilding facility before the March 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia. The Ukrainian company produced the first two Zubr-class LCACs, with the second hovercraft delivered to the PLAN immediately after Russia took over the shipyard. However, the last two vessels were built under license in China with Ukrainian engineers supervising the production.
The Type 728 hovercraft is approximately 187 feet (57 m) long with a beam of 84 feet (26 m) and has a draught of 5.2 feet (1.6 m). The LCAC has a top speed of 63 knots (117 kph) with the Type 728’s sustained speed is 55 knots (102 kph) and a range of about 300 nmi (556 km). The hovercraft has a countermeasures system that includes flares/chaff dispensers, decoys, and systems designed to lessen the magnetic field’s influence of both the vessel and cargo it carries. Regarding the hovercraft’s navigation suite, it has two navigation radars, a day/night drift sight, and navigation satellite receiver. The LCAC can carry 150 tons (150,000 kg) of equipment, armored vehicles, or personnel that can be quickly offloaded via bow and stern ramps. Below is a table outlining the number of vehicles and personnel the hovercraft could potentially carry during landing operations:
The LCAC also carries various weapons systems for defensive and offensive – including providing indirect/direct fire support during beach landings – purposes. The hovercraft can be equipped with four MANPADS launchers, two stabilized Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS), and two AK-630 30mm Close-In-Weapons Systems (CIWS). However, the Type 728s the PLAN has in service will likely use similar Chinese weapon systems in place of the Russian systems. While the PLAN does not use MANPADS in the close-in anti-air role, it could adapt the latest variant of the FN-6, QW-3, or QW-4 MANPAD systems. The Type 728 can also deploy mines from either its bow or stern ramps and can mount removable minelaying equipment in the hovercraft.
Differences Between Type 728s Produced by China and Ukraine
The new Type 728s look the same as the four the PLAN currently has in use, there are some key differences between them. However, the most significant difference is replacing the electro-optical targeting turret with a Chinese designed and built fire control radar in the same location.
The new Type 728s look the same as the four the PLAN currently has in use, there are some key differences between them. One difference is that the two new hovercraft have life-saving equipment – such as life rings – mounted to their superstructures. Another difference is the LCAC’s mast that carries both the navigation radars and communications equipment. Both craft have a new cruciform support structure instead of the simpler mast on the previous four Ukrainian built Zubrs. However, the most significant difference is replacing the electro-optical targeting turret with a Chinese designed and built fire control radar in the same location.
Analysis: The two Type 728 hovercraft proves that China has the blueprints to domestically produce versions of vessel. However, it is still unclear how many Type 728s China will produce or the scale of the production would be considering China is also producing the Type 726 LCAC along with other naval vessels. While it is unclear how China received the blueprints, the country may have acquired them to get around sanctions related to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, Russia likely gave the blueprints to China since it would be unable to fulfill future orders for the Zubrs since it cannot produce key components such as the reduction gears. China acquiring the blueprints allows the country to produce the hovercraft likely at Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard, where the Type 726 Luyi LCACs are produced. The ability to domestically manufacture Type 728s allows China to modify the hovercraft to meet its specific needs regarding conducting amphibious assaults. The most notable example is how the new Type 728s have fire control radar instead of EO turrets found on the first four vessels. The new fire control radars potentially allow the hovercraft to launch its 140mm or 122mm rockets farther from the shore than using EO to acquire targets. Furthermore, the radar would also allow the LCACs to engage anti-ship cruise missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and other precision guided munitions more accurately than using only the turret. However, the addition of life-saving equipment indicates that the PLAN places a greater emphasis on the survivability of both the Type 728’s crews and passengers. The life-saving equipment also indicates that the hovercraft will be used for long-range trips such as those associated with an invasion of Taiwan.