Daguan-class troopship
 Daguan-class troopship Xu Xiake berthed in front of the carrier Liaoning at Dalian Shipyard, July 2011
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
| In service | 2011 - present[1] |
| Completed | 2 |
| Active | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Troopship / Training ship / "Comprehensive support ship" |
| Displacement | 23,200–30,000 tonnes (22,800–29,500 long tons; 25,600–33,100 short tons) (full)[2][1] |
| Length | 196 metres (643 ft)[2][1] |
| Beam | 28 metres (92 ft)[2][1] |
| Capacity | 2,500 support personnel[2][1] |
| Aviation facilities | Medium helicopter deck[2][1] |
The Daguan-class troopship (as designated by NATO) is a class of auxiliary ship in People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).[3] They are used by the Chinese aircraft carrier programme to support sea trials,[1] and provide berthing, logistical support and training.[4] The ships are classed as "comprehensive support ships" in Chinese.[2]
The first entered service in 2011 in support of the Liaoning aircraft carrier.[1]
Deisgn[edit]
According to publicly released information, the Daguan-class ships are approximately 196 meters long, with a beam of 28 meters.[5] Capable of accommodating roughly 2,500 sailors, aircrew, technicians, and other carrier personnel, each ship has an endurance of up to 30 days. The ships are capable of a max speed of 18 knots.[5] They have a range of 8,000 nautical miles.[2] Each ship has a medium helicopter deck on its stern, which can accommodate one Changhe Z-8 heavy transport helicopter.[2]
The ships are armed with two sets of Type 81 rocket launchers, which can fire anti-submarine missiles. They are armed with an additional two sets of 57 mm twin-barreled guns and two sets of 30 mm twin-barreled autocannons.[6][7]
The ships are outfitted with additional accommodations for the crew, including internet cafes, coffee shops, a supermarket, a running track, a basketball court on the deck, a gym and a Sanda ring. The ships are sometimes called the "nannies" of aircraft carriers.[8] To fufill its training role, Xu Xiake is also equipped with simulators of various equipment onboard the Liaoning.[9]
Operational history[edit]
The Daguan-class ships provide support for China's growing fleet of aircraft carriers and are also used as training ships. They also provide living accommodations for the personnel of aircraft carriers when the carriers undergo maintenance, upgrades or overhauls.[10] The first ship of the class, Xu Xiake, was part of the Liaoning carrier battle group and accompanied Liaoning on sea trials. Xu Xiake provided at-sea training and R&R facilities for crew-members of the Liaoning.[11]
On August 27 2014, Xu Xiake sailed in a group with the corvette Datong, frigate Yancheng, and frigate Linyi to Liugong Island at the mouth of Weihai bay. The ships held a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the First Sino-Japanese War.[12]
In 2018, the second ship of the class Li Daoyuan supported China's second aircraft carrier Shandong when it began its sea trials.[2] In March 2023, a Daguan-class ship was berthed with China's first indigenously designed carrier Fujian in Jiangnan Shipyard.[13] The simulators onboard the Daguan-class were likely upgraded for the more advanced CATOBAR system of Fujian.[14]
Ships of the class[edit]
| Name | Namesake | Pennant number | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fleet | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xu Xiake[1] (ex-Go ahead No. 1) | Xu Xiake | 88[1] | COMEC (CSSC Guangzhou shipyard) | — | 2011 | — | Active[1] |
| Li Daoyuan[2] (ex-Go ahead No. 2) | Li Daoyuan | 89[3] | — | — | Before / In January 2018 | — | Active[3] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Tate, Andrew (25 August 2016). "China continues to invest in carrier support capabilities". Janes.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j 宋, 伟 (2023-05-22). "航母御用"保姆" 锻造远海战力". Ta Kung Pao. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ a b c United States Navy Office of Naval Intelligence (19 February 2020). PLA Navy Identification Guide (Report). Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress (Report). Congressional Research Service. 1 August 2018. p. 112. RL33153. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ a b 青年時報. "海军88舰：徐霞客号". Youth Times.
- ^ "简氏：中国进入大海军时代 10年内建3个航母群". 網易新聞. 國際展望(上海).
- ^ "徐霞客号(88)". 環球軍事網.
- ^ "航母保姆"徐霞客号"已伴"母"出航". Xinhua News Agency.
- ^ "揭秘中国海军三大训练舰". 中國軍網. 中國國防報·軍事特刊. 2016-11-25.
- ^ 香港01記者 (2016-11-26). "遼寧艦航母編隊揭秘：徐霞客艦似豪華遊輪 鄭和艦是外交明星". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 2024-06-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "辽宁舰旁为何经常有这艘军舰跟着 走哪都带着". 環球軍事網.
- ^ "海军举行甲午战争120周年海上祭奠仪式". Xinhua News Agency.
- ^ "一夜过后，上海江南厂内，新航母的旁边，又一艘巨舰突然出现了". Sohu. 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
- ^ "甘若水：3萬噸級巨艦充當「航母保姆」 成戰力孵化器". 思考HK.
External links[edit]
Images of Li Daoyuan and Shandong at Dalian Shipyard, 2022 (Internet Archive)
Images of Xu Xiake and Liaoning at Dalian Shipyard, 2023 (Internet Archive)