China Wants To Buy Russia's Zubr Hovercrafts

Popular Mechanics: China Is Buying Giant Attack Hovercraft From Russia

The "Bison" is as big and fast as it sounds.

China has received its second Zubr ("Bison") class hovercraft from Russia. Fast, armed and capable of carrying an invasion force, thesed hovercraft give China the ability to land troops on nearby islands and islets, including those in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and even Taiwan.

The Soviet Union developed the Zubr class of hovercraft in the late 1970s as a way of quickly landing troops over relatively short distances. Zubrs have a range of 300 miles and top speeds of up to 55 knots. Each one can carry three tanks, 12 armored fighting vehicles, and up to 500 marine infantry. And they don't stop at the beach: As hovercraft, Zubrs can cross a beachhead and carry their cargo well inland. On land, a Zubr can cross a five-degree gradient and traverse up to a four-foot vertical wall.

Update: PLAN Commission of the day: PLAN's second Zubr LCAC (China Defense Blog)

WNU Editor: The Chinese military clearly wants to have something that one can transport troops and equipment fast .... and over a body of water.