Type 072A landing ship

The Type 072A landing ship is the latest member of the Type 072 series of landing ships. A total of 9 ships have been identified, with most of them assigned to the 6th Detachment of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) South Sea Fleet at Zhanjiang. They received the NATO reporting name of Yuting II, the same as that of their predecessors, the Type 072III. Derived from the Type 072III, the most obvious visual difference between the Type 072A and all earlier models of the Type 072 series is that the step of the stepped superstructure on all earlier models has been eliminated. In addition, the Type 072A is designed to accommodate air-cushioned landing craft through the incorporation of a deck well. Like its predecessor the Type 072III, the Type 072A has a helipad but no hangar. The Type 072A is designed to carry 10 tanks, 4 landing craft, a medium helicopter and air cushioned vehicles; a total of 250 fully armed troops can be carried.