Project 1232.2 Zubr Class Air Cushion Landing Craft

Last updated: 21 June 2008

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In 2006, the PRC was reported to have approached Russia and Ukraine to discuss possible acquisition of 6~8 Project 1232.2 (Zubr class) large air cushion landing crafts. Zubr class is the world’s largest air cushion craft with three vessels currently in service with the Russian Navy and two in Ukrainian Navy. The vessel has been built at two locations: Almaz Shipbuilding JSC of Saint Petersburg, Russia Federal, and Feodosia Shipbuilding association "Morye" of Ukraine. So far the negotiation has been progressing very slowly, with no order actually placed.

The PRC has also been reportedly negotiating with Ukraine to import the technology of the M-70 gas turbine used on the Zubr class in order to develop its own air cushion landing craft design.

The mission of the Zubr class is to carry out rapid sealift and beach landing of assault troops and combat material on territory held by hostile forces. The ships also provides strong fire support for the troop operations on shore. Each vessel can carry up to 130t of cargo: three main battle tanks (MBT) such as T-72, or eight BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), or ten BTR-70 wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APC), or 360 fully equipped amphibious landing troops. The ship has a bow and a stern ramp for fast landing of troops and combat material.

The Zubr will greatly enhance the PLA Navy’s capability to launch a large scale amphibious assault operation. At the moment the PLA has to rely on conventional landing ships for such an operation. The slow process for the troops and vehicles to swim from their carrier ships to the beachhead makes them highly vulnerable to enemy firepower. The LCAC’s ability to deliver troops, vehicles and cargos directly to the beach makes a huge advantage. China has developed several models of its own indigenous LCAC, but most of these are unarmed small designs carrying no more than 20 soldiers.

Powered by the high temperature gas turbine, the Zubr has a top speed of 60 knots. The ship is equipped with two stabilised multiple rocket launchers (MRL), four Igla-1M portable air defence missile systems, and two AK-630 six-barrel 30mm close-in weapon systems (CIWS), which provide defence against manned and unmanned air attack, including incoming sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, small sea targets, lightly armoured coastal targets and floating mines.