Type 079 unloading tanks via its bow ramp (Chinese Internet)
The Type 079 (NATO reporting name: Yulian class) is the medium landing ship introduced in the early 1970s in support PLA Navy’s operations in the South China Sea. The vessel was designed by Shanghai-based 708 Institute and built by the Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou and Xiamen Shipyard in Xiamen. A total of 31 hulls (967~988) were delivered to the PLAN South Sea Fleet between 1972 and 1983.
The Type 079 is generally an enlarged version of the Type 271-II utility landing craft, featuring a conventional large flat bow door, which also serves as a ramp for vehicle and personnel access. The first batch of 27 hulls were built by Guangzhou Shipyard between 1972 and 1978. An additional four hull in the modified Type 079-II variant were built by the Xiamen Shipyard between 1979 and 1983.
Type 079 landing ships of the South Sea Fleet (Chinese Internet)
The Type 079 were mainly used to ferry troops and supplies between the mainland and PRC-occupied islands in the South China Sea. Several Type 079 landing ships took part in the clash with the Vietnamese Navy near the Nansha (Spratly) Islands in 1988. These vessels have been frequently spotted in PLA Navy’s amphibious assault exercises.
Design
The Type 079 has a conventional layout with a flat bow door/ramp, which has characterised the conventional landing ship's construction since the first vessels of this type were built during the World War-II. The vessel can only operate in coastal waters and has a poor performance in harsh weather. The vessel is capable of carrying 5 tanks, or 8 vehicles, or 4 trucks plus 4 towed 85mm field guns, or 250 troops, or 200 tonnes of cargo.
Armaments
The vessel is fitted with two Type 61 dual-25mm/60-calibre AAA guns, with a rate of fire of 800~1,000 rounds/min and an effective range of 2,700m against airborne targets.
Some units are also equipped with two Type 81H 40-tube 122mm multiple rocket launcher (MRL), which was modified from the Type 81 MRL in service with Army. The weapon can be used to provide firepower for the suppress of enemy shore defence.
Type 079 Yulian class landing craft (Chinese Internet)
Sensors
The ship is fitted with a surface search radar and a navigation radar.
Propulsions
This ship is powered by two 6300Zc diesels, each rated at 600hp (1,200hp in total) and two 12V135Ca-1 diesels rated at 480hp. There are two shafts driving two fixed-pitch propellers, giving a max speed of 14kt.
Specifications
Displacement: (standard) 730t;
(full load) 833.4t Dimensions: length: 60.3m; beam: 10m; draft: 2.36m Speed: 12kt Range: 1,000nm Endurance: 7 days Crew: 60 Capacity: 5 tanks, or 8 vehicles, or
4 trucks plus 4 towed 85mm cannon guns, or 200t cargo
