China has begun building new specialized barges that can be used for military amphibious landing operations, particularly in Taiwan. According to media reports, several new vessels with a unique design have been spotted at a shipyard in Guangzhou, which could play a key role in a possible invasion of the island.
The barges currently under construction have long car bridges extending from their bows. These design features allow the barges to reach coastal roads or hard surface, making them ideal for offloading equipment during amphibious operations. In addition, some barges are equipped with special lifting supports to ensure stability even in difficult weather conditions. These barges resemble trophy vessels used during the Allied landings in Normandy in 1944. Despite the fact that a smaller prototype of such barges was created as early as 2022, serial construction of new vessels began only recently. Specialized barges allow China to transport military equipment and personnel across the strait between mainland China and Taiwan more quickly and efficiently, making them an important element of Beijing's strategic planning.
Dr. Emma Salisbury, a research fellow in marine energy, noted that any potential invasion of Taiwan would require a large number of ships to rapidly transport troops and equipment, especially armored vehicles. At the same time, the new barges can be used not only for military purposes, but also in the civilian sector, although their capacity and specificity indicate the main purpose - military operations. Analysts point out that the expansion of amphibious operations will allow China to choose new landing routes in Taiwan, particularly in areas previously considered unsuitable for such operations. This will make the island much more difficult to defend as it will provide more flexibility for the Chinese military.
The new barges are therefore an important element in China's military strategy towards Taiwan, increasing Beijing's readiness for possible military operations in the future.
