The Type 068 and Type 069 (NATO reporting name: Yuch'in[2] or Yuqin[3]) are classes of landing craft mechanized (LCM) of the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). They may be based on the Soviet T-4 landing craft,[3] or smaller versions of the Type 067 landing craft with shorter tank and longer poop decks.[2] The Type 068 and Type 069 were mainly designed to transport cargo and personnel respectively.[3]

Class overview
NameType 068 and Type 069
Builders
Operators
Built1962[2] - c. 1995[1]
In commissionc. 1960 - present
General characteristics
TypeLanding craft mechanized
Displacement86 tonnes (full load)[2]
Length24.8 metres (81 ft)[2]
Beam5.2 metres (17 ft)[2]
Draught1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in)[2]
Propulsion
  • 2 x Type 12V 150C diesel engines;[2]
  • 2 shafts[2]
  • Total output: 600 hp (450 kW)[2]
Speed11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)[2]
Range450 nautical miles (830 km; 520 mi) at 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)[2]
Troops150 troops[2]
Complement12[2]
Armament2 x twin 14.5 mm machine guns[2]

The landing craft were built at Shanghai from 1962 to 1972.[2] A few modified Type 069s were built at Zhoushan for Tanzania in the 1990s.[1]

Operators

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  Bangladesh

Bangladesh bought six of the landing craft from China.[2] Two Type 069s were fitted as inshore survey craft and entered service in 1983.[4] Four Type 068s were delivered in 1986.[5] The 1991 Bangladesh cyclone severely damaged two Type 068s, one of which was scrapped.[6]

  China
  Tanzania

Tanzania bought two modified[1] Type 069s[2] for logistics support. They were launched from the Kailing Shipyard[1] and delivered in 1995.[2] They have greater molded depth for increased cargo capacity, air conditioning and improved steering.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Wertheim 2013, p. 723.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Saunders 2015, p. 156.
  3. ^ a b c Wertheim 2013, p. 130.
  4. ^ Wertheim 2013, p. 44.
  5. ^ Wertheim 2013, p. 45.
  6. ^ Saunders 2015, p. 57.

Sources

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  • Saunders, Stephan, ed. (2015). Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710631435.
  • Wertheim, Eric (2013). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (16 ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1591149545.