Super-sized hovercraft provide a rare and specialized capability that only a handful of navies can afford. China is the only nation investing in these massive platforms, pursuing series production of the Zubr-class vessels for amphibious assault operations. These offer key operational advantages and may signal a growing level of preparedness for a potential invasion of Taiwan.
The unique Zubr-class hovercraft can carry 500 troops, or three main battle tanks (MBTs) or 10 lighter armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) and 230 troops. It can carry them at speeds of over 55 knots, overcome beaches which other landing craft could not face, and deliver the troops directly to the fight.
Now China is building a fleet of these giant hovercraft, which may be an indicator of increased preparedness for an invasion of Taiwan. China was already reported to have six of these vessels, but Naval News can confirm that they have moved into series production.
The late-Cold War design is the largest hovercraft ever built. It embodies the Soviet tendency for military Gigantism, characterized by massive scale, brute-force firepower, and immense logistical requirements. In the case of the Zubr this is particularly true since hovercraft are notoriously maintenance intensive. Therefore large hovercraft are seen as both impressive and yet, for many navies, impractical. It takes a super-power to absorb the resource implications of operating such a powerful military unit.
Cold War Monster
China purchased four Project 1232.2 Zubr (NATO reporting name Pomornik-class) hovercraft from Ukraine in 2014. The first two were built in Ukraine, where they had been during the Soviet Union. The second two were assembled from kits in China. This gave China the necessary knowhow to start building its own Zubr.
Until now only two of the local version, dubbed Type 728, were reported to have been built. We can confirm that at least five have been built, possibly more. This brings the Chinese Navy’s (PLAN’s) fleet to a minimum of 9 craft, by far the largest of any country. Russia, the inheritor of Soviet stocks, only has two in service, while Greece operates four. An eventual fleet of 10-12 is not unreasonable, with China able to build more if it desires.
Implications
The Zubr is a high-maintenance design with units spending considerable time ashore. Unlike landing ships of a similar size, they carry less and are optimised for short direct journeys ferrying troops or equipment. And they cannot sit at sea with troops aboard for long periods. This makes them less versatile which limits their roles, especially in peacetime.
In an invasion scenario however this is a reasonable trade-off. Their speed, range and on-beach delivery capabilities allow troops or vital equipment to be landed more efficiently. They are also less susceptible to some forms of anti-invasion defences, including many types of naval mines. The Zubr would be able to make several trips across the Taiwan Strait in a single day.
How many Zubr-class vessels China ultimately intends to build remains unclear. Unlike most countries, Beijing does not publicly disclose the details of its naval shipbuilding programs, leaving analysts to piece together developments through open-source intelligence. What is becoming increasingly evident, however, is that hovercraft may play a more prominent role in China’s maritime strategy than previously assumed.
