Key Points

Shen, a research fellow at the Institute for National Defence and Security Research, said the deployment of these ships by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's East Sea Fleet signals a direct strategic focus on Taiwan. These vessels, known as the Donggong 401, 402, and 403, feature a 120-meter bridge at the front for tanks and armoured vehicles to disembark directly onto shore. They also include a rear ramp that connects with roll-on/roll-off ferries, forming a mobile bridge network to facilitate rapid troop deployment, as reported by the Taipei Times.

Shen stated that the vessels are unarmed and highly exposed, making them easy targets for Taiwan's precision-guided missiles and airstrikes during the transit phase. A single successful hit could destroy the ships and the armoured vehicles onboard before reaching their landing zones.

The vulnerability grows once landing operations begin, he added. When these ships connect with ferries or amphibious vessels, their large size and static position make them ideal targets for missile strikes, potentially derailing landing operations altogether, according to the Taipei Times. Even if a beachhead is established, Shen stated that Taiwan's advanced long-range systems, such as the Thunderbolt-2000 and HIMARS, and ambush tactics could still neutralise these ships.

Shen concluded that while these bridge ships enhance the PLA's logistical capabilities, their high risk of detection and destruction severely limits their battlefield utility. Ultimately, their role in any cross-strait conflict remains strategically constrained, as highlighted by the Taipei Times.

- ANI