Key facts
- A second Chinese vessel suspected of being a drone mothership has appeared in Guangzhou.
- The vessel was observed under tow on the Pearl River on October 18, 2026.
- It features an unusual stern arrangement and vertical structures for handling underwater vehicles.
- A larger, similarly configured ship is under construction in Shanghai.
- The Guangzhou vessel is estimated to be 150 meters long, while the Shanghai vessel is approximately 204 meters long.
A second Chinese naval vessel, suspected of being designed to launch and recover large underwater drones, has emerged in Guangzhou. Observed under tow on the Pearl River on October 18, 2026, the vessel features an unusual stern arrangement and vertical structures that analysts believe are part of an underwater vehicle handling system. This sighting follows the discovery of a larger, similarly configured ship under construction in Shanghai since at least April 2026. The larger vessel measures approximately 204 meters in length and 30 meters wide, while the Guangzhou vessel is estimated to be around 150 meters long. Both ships share characteristics such as substantial enclosed working spaces and large stern openings, leading analysts to believe they are intended to support a new category of naval technology for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The concept of a UUV mothership would allow these vehicles to operate far from port, with potential capabilities for deployment, recovery, charging, fueling, maintenance, and data transfer.