According to information released by the Chinese Ministry of Defense website on June 5, 2021, the Chinese Navy has conducted a naval amphibious exercise with Type 073A Yunshu-class landing ship and VN-18 amphibious tracked armored IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles).
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An amphibious armored infantry fighting vehicle VN-18 steers off the well deck of the Songshan (946) Type 073A Yunshu-class landing ship during the several-week-long realistic combat training jointly conducted by the Chinese Navy. (Picture source China MoD)
Several VN-18 amphibious armored infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) were launched from Songshan (946), a Type 073A Yunshu-class during the several-week-long realistic combat training jointly conducted by a naval landing ship flotilla under the PLA Southern Theater Command and a combined arms brigade under the PLA 74th Group Army in mid-May, 2021.
The Songshan (946) is a Type 073A Yunshu-class landing ship that entered service with the Chinese Navy between 2001 through 2002. The ship has a length of 87 m, a beam of 12.6 m, a draft of 2.25 and a full displacement of 2,000 tons. She can carry 250 tons of military equipment or five medium tanks or ten amphibious light tanks or 500 fully equipped troops.
The Type 073A Yunshu-class is powered by two 6PA6L-380 diesel engines, each developing 4,75 hp. She can reach a top speed of 17 knots (31 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 1,500 nautical miles at 14 knots (26 km/h). She has a crew of 70 people. The ship is armed at the front deck with one type 76 twin 37mm naval gun and also has Type 81H 122 mm rockets.
The VN-18 is an amphibious tracked IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) in service with the Chinese Marines. The vehicle is fully amphibious, and the vehicle is propelled in the water at a maximum speed of 25 km/h thanks to two large water jets mounted to the rear side of the hull.
The VN-18 is fitted with a two-man turret armed with one 30 mm automatic cannon, one single missile rail launcher is mounted to each side of the turret for the wire-guided Hong Jian-73C anti-tank guided missiles that can fire to a range from 4 to 5 km. A 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the left side of the main armament. A 12.7mm machine gun can be mounted on the roof of the turret.
