The ship has been taking shape for 6 months at a shipyard in Shanghai and is roughly the same size as a Type 071 amphibious warfare ship, though it is taller overall. While the vessel's primary purpose appears to be drone support, it may also serve other naval roles.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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China Builds Massive Drone Submarine Mothership in Shanghai
Geopolitics26 days ago
Satellite imagery taken September 10 shows a naval vessel with a boxy superstructure under construction at a dock in eastern China. The image provides evidence for an earlier assessment that the ship is a mothership designed to support fleets of larger submersible drones. The hull has been painted gray, confirming the vessel is intended for the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
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