China's Second Submarine Drone Mothership Nears Completion in Guangzhou

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TheWarZone
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RobotToday Industry Briefing

China has nearly completed a second submarine drone mothership, similar in design to the first one constructed in Shanghai. This new vessel, spotted in Guangzhou, is approximately one-third smaller than its counterpart and features six lift towers, maintaining key design elements such as a flight deck and hangar.

The development of these motherships is significant as they enhance China's capability to deploy and recover unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) far from its shores. This growing fleet could provide China with a strategic advantage, enabling long-duration patrols and various operational tasks, from reconnaissance to offensive missions.

As speculation continues about the potential for more vessels of this type, the implications for the People's Liberation Army Navy's UUV strategy become clearer. The emergence of these motherships highlights China's commitment to advancing its underwater capabilities, which could pose a credible threat to U.S. interests in the Pacific region. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.

Original report

Second Chinese Submarine Drone Mothership Emerges

TheWarZone · Tyler Rogoway
Read at TheWarZone

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