ROCS Yu Shan (1401)

History

In April 2021, Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC Corporation launched the first of four Yushan-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships to strengthen the Republic of China Navy (RoCN) amid increasing Chinese intimidation. Construction began in May 2019, and the ship was launched on April 13, 2021 from Kaohsiung. This LPD warship is Taiwan's first indigenous design and signifies the country's growing independence in defense solutions.

The RoCN plans to commission the vessel in 2022. The lead ship, named Yu Shan with pennant number "1401," will replace the aging RoCS Hsu Hai, formerly the USS Pensacola, received from the United States Navy in 1999. The name Yu Shan is derived from Taiwan's highest mountain.

The warship measures 501.9 feet (153 meters) in length and has a beam of 75.5 feet (23 meters). With a displacement of 11,025 tons (10,000 tonnes), it features modern sensors, including bow-mounted sonar, and carries defensive weaponry such as two anti-aircraft TC-2N radar-guided Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers, a 76mm Mk.74 autocannon, and 2 x 20mm Mk 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWSs). It has a range of 7,000 miles and can accommodate up to 670 to 675 military personnel, attack/transport helicopters, AAV-7 amphibious assault vehicles, and shore-bound landing craft.

The ship's design incorporates stealth features such as low profile smoke funnels, reduced external protrusions, slab sides, and enclosed masts. It also includes a helipad/hangar facility at the stern and large loading/offloading doors along the sides.

Aside from its amphibious assault support capabilities, Yu Shan is equipped for humanitarian operations with onboard facilities. However, in its military role, it is capable of deploying a full complement of personnel and equipment to engage the enemy.

ROCS Yushan (1401) Specifications

Basics

• Namesake: The tallest mountain in Taiwan

• Operator: Republic of China Navy (Taiwan), Republic of China Navy (Taiwan)

• Country of build: Republic of China (Taiwan)

• Builder: CSBC Corporation, Taiwan

• Launched: 12 April 2021

• Commissioned (service): 30 September 2022

• Status: Active

Ship measurements

• Displacement: 10,600 t

• Length: 152.98 m

• Beam: 23.01 m

• Draft: 6.1 m

• Machine Propulsion: 4 * MTU 20V 8000

• Speed: 21.5 knots

• Range: 7000 nmi

• Personnel Complement: 190

• Embarked units: 673

Combat assets

• Cargo capacity: 9 * AAV-7 or 1 * H6, 7 * HUMVEE

• Boats & landing craft: 1 * LCU 4 * LCM

• Electronics: S/MPQ-90 Bee Eye AESA radar CS/SWR-6

• Armament: 2 * missile launchers for either 8 Hsiung Feng II SSMs or 16 Hai Chien SAMs 1 * 76 mm gun 2 * 20 mm Phalanx CIWS

• Aircraft: 2 * Black Hawk or Seahawk helicopters