Image Credits: Wikipedia China’s Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan has completed tests of its defensive countermeasures and electromagnetic catapult system, with newly released footage showing the vessel’s latest trials as it moves closer to entering service. The more than 40,000-ton warship has completed multiple sea trials after being launched in December 2024 and beginning its first sea trial in November 2025, according to Xinhua News Agency. The ship is designed to operate fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and amphibious equipment. Footage released by Chinese state media showed the Sichuan conducting a live-fire launch of countermeasures for the first time, along with a test of its electromagnetic catapult system using a dead load, according to CCTV News. Military observers said the dead load test is a preliminary step before aircraft launch trials. The test, carried out during the ship’s construction phase, indicates that the electromagnetic catapult system has reached an operational and reliable stage, they said. The Sichuan has now completed several rounds of sea trials, increasing expectations that the ship could soon be commissioned. Further footage showing the vessel launching actual aircraft would provide more details about its operational capabilities, military observers said. Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the Type 076 represents a major development by combining technologies from China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship and Type 003 aircraft carrier. According to Song, the vessel addresses the challenge of operating carrier-based aircraft from amphibious assault ships and introduces new possibilities for future naval operations. He said the integration of electromagnetic catapult technology shows China’s progress in developing related systems. The electromagnetic catapult system allows the ship to launch both manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft. Song said larger unmanned combat aircraft could use the sy