"An unusual vessel with a boxy superstructure has been taking shape at a shipyard in Shanghai, China, over the past six months. New satellite images reinforce the belief that this vessel will be a mothership for their fleet of unmanned submarines and submersibles," said Joseph Trevithick, editor of the US military publication War Zone, on 24/9.

Satellite images taken on 10/9 show the vessel is about 204 m long and 30 m wide, comparable to China's Type-071 landing ship, but notably taller. Another recent photograph shows the vessel is painted gray, characteristic of Chinese navy warships.

The vessel, potentially a mothership for large UUVs, under construction at a shipyard in Shanghai, China, in an image taken on 10/9. Photo: War Zone

The vessel features a floodable compartment capable of housing a launch and recovery platform about 50 m long. This platform has six columns divided into two rows mid-hull. One end has an arched structure, and the other has two teardrop-shaped structures, suggesting partial submersion during operations to enhance stability and manage water flow when towed.

The stern of the vessel has two rows of columns: three long and three short. Naval expert H.I. Sutton believes this could be a mechanism for lifting and lowering equipment, or part of a larger system for moving cargo within the hull.

"These indicators suggest the superstructure's internal space is primarily a large cargo or working bay, allowing transport and operational support for multiple large unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Each UUV would be deployed and recovered via a dedicated platform," Sutton assessed.

The vessel, potentially a mothership for large UUVs, at a shipyard in Shanghai, China, in an image taken on 24/9. Photo: War Zone

Deployment and recovery of equipment via a moon pool (a bottom-access compartment) is not new. The US military and other nations also research deploying large UUVs through floodable compartments with lift systems.

"However, the appearance of a large, dedicated vessel for deploying and recovering very large UUVs in combat is unprecedented," Trevithick stated.

According to expert Sutton, the Chinese navy requires a dedicated mothership to support its expanding UUV fleet. China develops UUVs for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, mine laying, combat support, and even attacking enemy vessels.

The UUV codenamed AJX002 during a parade in Beijing, China, in 9/2025. Photo: Xinhua

"Increasingly large UUV models appear in China, requiring specialized deployment and recovery to ensure operational viability. This also supports extended missions in offshore waters," Sutton noted.

Trevithick suggests the mothership could support large UUV or manned submersible operations for combat, submarine rescue, salvage, deep-sea research, and undersea infrastructure maintenance.

Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, AP)