The Type 072-III (Yuting-II class) is the most capable amphibious warfare ship in service with the PLA Navy.

The Type 072-III (NATO codename: Yuting-II class) is the follow-on of the Type 072-II (Yuting-I class) large landing ship initially introduced in the 1990s. The Type 072-III features a redesigned concealed bridge, and possibly enhanced sealift capability. Two ships built by Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard were commissioned in 2004, with additional two built by Dalian-based Dalian Shipyard commissioned in 2005. A total of seven ships have been identified by 2005.

中国海军072-III型（北约代号：“榆廷”（Yuting）-II级）是072-II型（“榆廷”（Yuting）-I级）的后继大型登陆舰，在1990年内最初引进。072-III型的特点是一个重新设计密封舰桥和可能提高的海上补给能力。二艘由上海建立的沪东-中华造船厂在2004年建造，并且另外的二艘被大连建立的大连造船厂在2005年建造。总数为七艘的登陆舰已经在2005年之前被确定。

 

PROGRAMME
计划

 

Two new LST type large landing ships were first spotted in Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Summer 2003. These ships were later identified to be the improved variant of the Type 072-II (Yuting-I class), known as Type 072-III (Yuting-II class). Two additional ships of the same type were spotted under construction in Dalian Shipyard in early 2004. By 2005 at least seven ships of this class have been spotted either in service or under construction, increasing the total number of the large LST in service with the PLA Navy to 25.

 

Compared to the previous Type 072 series (Yukan and Yuting-I class), the Type 072-III carries less firepower, but is larger and more modernised. The full displacement of the ship is estimated to be 5,000t, capable of carrying 250 troops and 10 tanks. These ships together with the Yuting-I and Yukan class will provide key sealift and amphibious landing capabilities for the PLA Navy in the coming decade. However, as the WWII-style tank landing ships are generally regarded as outdated, the PLA Navy may wish to seek more advanced and efficient amphibious assault ships (LHA/LHD) and dock landing ships (LSD/LPD) in the future. 

比拟早先的072型系列（榆赣（Yukan）和Yuting-I级），072-III型携带较少的火力，但是更大和更现代化。登陆舰的满载排水量被估计是5,000吨，能够运送250名军人和10辆坦克。这些登陆舰连同Yuting-I和Yukan级一起在将来的十年中将会为PLA海军提供主要海上补给和水陆两栖登陆能力。然而，被看做WWII-风格坦克登陆舰通常被视为过时，PLA海军未来可能愿意寻求更先进和更有效率的水陆两栖攻击舰（LHA/直升机登陆舰（LHD））和船坞登陆舰（LSD/两栖船坞运输舰（LPD））。 

The new Yuting-II is believed to be larger and more modernised compared to the previous Yuting-I class.

 

INVENTORY

 

7 ships spotted so far: 911, 912, 913, 992, 993, 995, 996 

 

DESIGNS
设计

 

The Type 072-III is generally similar to the Yuting-I and Yukan class in hull design and layout. The original open-top bridge on the Yuting-I class has been replaced by a redesigned fully concealed bridge on the Type 072-III. On the Yuting-I class there are two corridors on each side of the bridge to enable troops move between the main front deck and the stern helicopter deck, but these are replaced by a tunnel under the bridge on the Type 072-III.

 

WEAPONS
武器

 

The ship carries only one Type 76F dual-37mm antiaircraft artillery (AAA) gun located on the bow deck. By comparison the Yuting-I class has three guns. Point air defence may also be provided by using should-launched air defence missiles.

登陆舰在舰艏甲板上仅仅有一门76F型双管-37毫米高射炮（AAA）。相比较Yuting-I级有三门高射炮。点防空也可能由防空导弹提供。

 

AVIATION
航空

 

The ship has a stern helicopter flight deck specious enough for a large helicopter such as Jingdezhen Z-8 to take-off and land. There is no helicopter hanger provided.

附补充资料：

《072型登陆舰外形识别》摘自 中国海军网

072III型。同前两型相比，该型外观已经出现较大变化，舰尾直升机甲板的加装是其区别于它们的最明显标志。正是由于具有直升机甲板，使该型舰拥有了搭载直升机的能力，也使我军两栖部队第一次具备使用立体登陆方式的条件。开创我登陆作战新的模式。本型舰建造数量为10艘。舷号为991、934、935、936、937、939、940、908、909、910。其中从939号开始舰载火炮发生型号变化。北约将此型舰命名为“玉亭”级。072Ⅲ型的火炮数量及威力继续减少，总共只部置了3门双联装37毫米舰炮。其位置分别为舰首和舰桥前。舰首以一门37毫米炮替代上两型的57毫米炮，是其重要识别特征之一。从桅杆上看，本型已改为柱状，看起来现代和简洁了许多。副甲板支撑柱呈倾斜状，且比起前两型来粗了不少，给人很坚固的感觉。烟囱后整个舰尾都是直升机甲板。另外，939、940、908、909、910等五舰的三门火炮全部换装为76F式双联装37毫米新型舰炮。使它们更具有现代感。

072III型早期型图解

072III型后期型，主要区别就是将舰首的61式双37炮换为76F式双37自动炮。