- China building first-of-its-kind warship for unmanned submarine drones.
- Vessel designed to deploy massive XXLUUVs for naval operations.
- Highlights China's growing shipbuilding strength and strategic military advancements.
China is constructing a first-of-its-kind, highly advanced warship designed to carry and deploy massive unmanned submarine drones in deep waters. Satellite images from US defence intelligence company Vantor show the "mothership" under construction at Shanghai's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard.
The vessel is capable of carrying and deploying autonomous Extra-Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XXLUUVs) directly into combat or patrol operations far beyond China's coast.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: Rogue Humanoid Robot Dangerously Kicks Its Own Engineer During Demonstration In China
Features Of China Drone 'Mothership'
Analysis of photographs shows the mothership features an internal forward hangar and a wet well-deck with 12 vertical lifting arms, The Telegraph reported.
- The mothership can accommodate up to four extra-extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XXLUUVs).
- Its size and design clearly indicate it is being designed solely for naval warfare operations.
- Its specialised cradle lowers heavy platforms into open waters for forward maintenance, battery charging, and covert launch operations.
China Submarine Drones vs US Navy Orca
The drone submarines China is building are much bigger than Western ones:
- China Drone Prototypes: Measure up to 148 feet (45 meters) long.
- US Navy Orca: Measures 85 feet (26 meters) long, making China's drone almost twice as long.
- UK Royal Navy Excalibur: Measures 12 meters (39 feet), making China's drone nearly four times as long.
These uncrewed drones can covertly fire heavy torpedoes and weapons at enemies across thousands of miles. While built for long-range autonomous missions, defence experts note that combat effectiveness relies on autonomy and sensor integration alongside platform size.
US vs China Shipbuilding Capacity
Building this mothership shows China's growing strength in shipbuilding. China currently has over 400 active warships, while the US Navy has 295.
South China Sea Strategic Impact
Defence experts believe that China can use this vessel to send stealth underwater drones into disputed areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea to strengthen its hold on these regions, the report added.
Speaking at Beijing's Xiangshan Forum, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun warned other countries against regional "militarism and hegemony," a direct reference to the US and Japanese presence in the Indo-Pacific.
You May Also Like To Watch