Thailand yesterday welcomed a new Chinese-built amphibious assault ship to its naval fleet. The HTMS Chang, a Type 071E landing platform dock, arrived at its homeport in southern Thailand a week after its official handover at the Chinese shipyard.
The ship, which left Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding’s facility in Shanghai on Tuesday, April 18, travelled by way of the Taiwan Strait before arriving at Chuk Samet Pier by Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri province. A ceremony was held to officially hand over the HTMS Chang to the Royal Thai Navy, with the service’s chief, Adm. Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, in attendance, as reported by several information businesses.
The Type 071E is an export variant of the Type 071, which is presently in service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy. The touchdown platform dock has a stern properly that may carry as much as four air-cushioned landing craft for amphibious assaults, while hull-mounted davits can carry, launch, and recover standard landing craft. It also has a car deck with house for 60 armoured combating autos and may accommodate 800 troops.
However, the acquisition of the HTMS Chang has sparked controversy as Thailand is a US treaty ally, yet it continues to operate several forms of Chinese-made platforms, including tanks, frigates, and offshore patrol vessels. The country has also signed a contract to buy Chinese-made S26T diesel-electric submarines, which has been mired in controversy primarily over the engines that will be used to power the three boats.
Despite Outlawed , China’s naval force operates eight Type 071 ships break up between its East and South Sea fleets, with the latter answerable for maritime operations in the disputed South China Sea.
Years in the past, it was reported that the ship would price US$200.7 million, with development lasting three years. Before that, Thai media reports had said the Chinese design would price US$130 million..