ASELSAN:
Lockheed Martin:
Rheinmetall:
BAE Systems:
Thales:
Leonardo:
Saab:
Kongsberg Gruppen:
Indra Sistemas:
Mitsubishi Heavy Ind.:
Hanwha Aerospace:
AVIC Shenyang Aircraft:
Hindustan Aeronautics:
KEY INTELLIGENCE TAKEAWAYS & SUMMARY
- The Chinese Navy is enhancing its capacity to globally deploy extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) through next-generation specialized support platforms.
- Spotted in Guangzhou, the new mother ship of approximately 150 meters features different architecture and crane mechanisms compared to the first 200-meter concept built in Shanghai.
- Sea-based command and control of giant autonomous underwater vehicles measuring 35 to 45 meters in length is at the center of Beijing's hybrid naval warfare strategy.
- These prototype projects executed simultaneously by China across different shipyards are capable of altering the deep-sea intelligence and blockade balances in the Pacific.
Two Different Shipyards, Two Separate Design Philosophies
When comparing the first unmanned underwater vehicle mother ship built in Shanghai, which exceeds 200 meters in length, with this new platform emerging in Guangzhou, prominent architectural differences stand out. The hull length of the new ship in Guangzhou is assessed to be around 150 meters. While the first ship features 12 hydraulic towers and lifting mechanisms rising in double rows at the stern, 6 support masts stand out in a similar layout on the new ship.
Technical Capacity and Strategic Field Implications
Conclusion and Future Perspective
The Chinese Navy's simultaneous execution of unmanned submarine mother ship projects at two different shipyards and in two distinct scales demonstrates that Beijing is undergoing a fundamental shift in its underwater doctrine. Not content with a single prototype and actively testing different design variations in the field, PLAN is determined to be a leading force in the mass and operational employment of unmanned systems.
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