China Building Underwater Drone Mothership Capable of Carrying 4 Giant Submarines: Report

China is building what analysts believe could be the world’s first dedicated mothership for giant uncrewed submarines, according to satellite imagery of a vessel under construction at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. The ship appears designed to transport, launch and recover multiple extra-extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XXLUUVs), with defence analyst H I Sutton estimating that it could carry around four of the large autonomous submarines.

The development follows the discovery of two unusually large Chinese uncrewed submarines being tested around Hainan in the South China Sea, The Telegraph reported. Measuring about 35 and 45 metres (115 and 148 feet), the vehicles are significantly larger than the US Navy’s 51-foot Boeing Orca XLUUV. Their size and the emergence of a dedicated support vessel indicate that China is continuing to develop ways to operate large autonomous underwater platforms beyond the testing phase. Wanjun Xie Claims Xi Jinping Fainted at BRICS Summit; Community Notes Add Context to Unverified Post.

Satellite Images Show New Vessel

Commercial satellite imagery reviewed by Naval News shows a red-hulled vessel under construction at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. The ship has features resembling an amphibious landing vessel, including a stern well deck and a large cradle that can be lowered into the water. Analysts believe the arrangement could allow large underwater drones to be launched and recovered at sea.

A large internal hangar located forward of the well deck appears capable of housing several of the giant underwater vehicles. “The most plausible explanation is that it is a special drone submarine mothership,” H I Sutton, an independent defence expert focused on underwater warfare, told Naval News. Based on the vessel's size and the dimensions of the known Chinese XXLUUVs, Sutton estimated that the hangar could accommodate around four of them. Why Is China Restricting Citizens From Leaving the Country Under New Border Rules?

China’s Giant Uncrewed Submarines

China has already developed full-sized uncrewed submarines, which have been designated extra-extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles, or XXLUUVs. Two different designs have been observed during testing in waters around Hainan. One is approximately 115 feet long, while the other measures about 148 feet.

The vehicles are substantially larger than existing Western autonomous underwater systems. The US Navy's Boeing Orca XLUUV is about 51 feet long, making the Chinese designs roughly six to eight times longer overall. The Chinese submarines were previously seen being transported and supported by specialised floating docks during testing. The new mothership would provide a more mobile platform for storing, maintaining, launching and recovering the vehicles.

Possible Military Role

The exact role of the new vessel and the XXLUUVs has not been confirmed by Beijing. Sutton said the internal hangar makes a civilian or research explanation less convincing. The vessel could potentially serve as a mobile tender, allowing the autonomous submarines to be maintained and kept out of the water when not in use, while also functioning as a launch-and-recovery platform.

The capabilities and intended payloads of China's giant underwater drones remain largely unknown. Earlier analysis has suggested that their unusually large size could allow them to carry substantial payloads and operate over long distances, although their actual range and operational configuration have not been publicly confirmed.

How Western Systems Compare

The Chinese XXLUUVs are considerably larger than the US Navy's Orca XLUUV, which is designed for long-duration autonomous underwater missions. Britain is also developing a large autonomous underwater vehicle known as XV Excalibur under Project Cetus. At about 39 feet, it is considerably smaller than the Chinese vehicles. The difference in size reflects the range of approaches being explored by different navies as autonomous underwater technology develops.

What The Mothership Could Change

The new vessel could give China a way to move its giant underwater drones farther from shore without relying on fixed testing facilities or conventional surface vessels. A dedicated mothership would also potentially allow the drones to be recovered, serviced and redeployed at sea, increasing the flexibility of the emerging system.

However, the vessel remains under construction, and there is no public confirmation from China about its designation, operator or intended missions. The assessment that it is a submarine-drone mothership is based on satellite imagery and open-source analysis.

The development is part of China's broader expansion of uncrewed naval technology. Analysts have increasingly identified large autonomous underwater vehicles as an emerging area of competition among major military powers, particularly for surveillance, mine warfare, seabed operations and potentially long-range missions.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2026 10:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).