China navy launches first self-propelled floating dock | Reuters
▻http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-defence-ship-idUSKCN0W333X
Photo shows the Huachuan No. 1. Credit: People’s Liberation Army Daily
China’s navy has launched its first self-propelled floating dock, giving it the ability to repair warships far from the coast, the official People’s Liberation Army Daily said on Tuesday, Beijing’s latest move to modernize its navy.
The newspaper said the dock, the Huachuan No. 1, would enable the navy to return damaged ships to fighting capability “in very rapid time” and was designed to be sent into combat zones.
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The dock can handle cruisers, destroyers and submarines, but not aircraft carriers, and cope with waves up to 2 meters (6.6 ft) high, it added.