A new vessel spotted at a Chinese shipyard is likely the world’s first mothership designed to deploy submarine drones. It represents the latest piece in the puzzle of China’s undeclared effort to develop and deploy full-sized uncrewed submarines.
The pace and ambition of China’s naval modernization continue to accelerate. Just 25 years ago, Beijing’s navy was an outdated coastal force. Today, China builds more warships than any other country. And in a growing number of cases, its warships are not just competitive with those of other nations, but more advanced and forward-leaning. Now, China is building another vessel that could be the first of its kind in the world.
The new ship has been seen under construction at Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. Naval News has reviewed multiple satellite images to assess its likely role. It appears unique, but by far the most plausible explanation is that it is a special drone submarine mothership.
XXLUUVs – Giant Submarine Drones
China has already become the first and only country to build full-size submarines which are uncrewed. Referred to as XXLUUVs (extra-extra large uncrewed underwater vehicles), two types have been observed under testing in Hainan. At 35 and 45 meters (115-148 feet) long they are around 6-8 times the overall size of the U.S. Navy’s Boeing Orca XLUUV. It is likely that the two models are in direct competition.
They have been tested in floating docks, at least one specially designed for this purpose. The XXLUUVs are housed in the docks while in port and carried out to sea where they are launched and recovered directly from the dock.
This arrangement suits testing, but it appears that the Chinese Navy (PLAN) wishes for a more robust and versatile host platform. The new vessel resembles an amphibious landing ship (LPD) with a well-deck in the stern. However this well-deck is open below the submarine and a large cradle can be inserted. This is lowered below the vessel on 12 vertical ‘jack up’ arms.
The New Mothership
There is also a large hangar forward of the well-deck, presumably to house the submersibles. Based on the size of the well-deck and observed XXLUUVs, the mothership can likely carry 4 in the hangar, or a larger number of smaller craft.
The overall design bears a strong resemblance to one proposed for an undersea research submersible in 2025. That Chinese project showed a generally similar system but on a slightly smaller scale and with the submersible stowed on an open working deck between the cradle and the superstructure. This vessel is much larger, and has an internal hangar. The size and presence of the internal hangar make a civilian or research explanation unconvincing, however. The only plausible explanation is that this is a drone submarine mothership.
It seems probable that the mothership will act as a mobile submarine tender for the XXLUUV, performing maintenance and keeping them out of the water when not in use. But it can also act as a launch and recovery platform for combat missions.
Exactly how China intends to employ XXLUUVs remains to be seen. They appear likely to have a long-range combat role, potentially including deployment off the west coast of the United States during periods of heightened tension or conflict. What is clear, however, is that China continues to invest heavily in their operationalisation, placing it well ahead of any other country in this regard. China is therefore likely to become the only country operating full-sized uncrewed submarines.
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