China is constructing a first-of-its-kind submarine-mothership at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. This vessel is designed to deploy massive autonomous underwater drones to expand the nation's naval reach and offensive capabilities.
Vantor's satellite imagery of the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard
Recent satellite data captured by the U.S. defense-intelligence firm Vantor reveals a red-painted vessel currently under construction in Shanghai. According to the report, this mothership is engineered to carry and launch up to four extra-extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XXLUUVs). The design includes an internal hangar and a secondary bay at the bow specifically for a helicopter.
The inclusion of a helicopter bay is a critical detail for analysts. Because such a configuration serves no plausible civillian or research purpose, the vessel's intent is viewed as purely military. This development aligns with the broader naval expansion goals of President Xi Jinping, particularly regarding the strategic control of the South China Sea and the status of Taiwan.
The 45-metre XXLUUV and the Boeing Orca gap
The drones carried by this mothership, known as XXLUUVs, represent a massive leap in scale.. These vehicles measure between 35 and 45 metres in length, making them roughly six to eight times larger than the Boeing Orca XLUUV used by the U.S. Navy. As the report notes, these XXLUUVs have already undergone initial trials off Hainan Island in the South China Sea as of January 2025.
Beyond size, the XXLUUVs are expected to possess an endurance exceeding 10,000 nautical miles. This range, combined with a payload capacity that likely exceeds the eight heavyweight torpedoes typical of an Orion-type XLUUV, suggests that China is pursuing a strategy of persistent , long-range underwater presence that could challenge existing U.S. and U.K. naval platforms.
Hainan Island trials and the South China Sea flashpoint
The deployment of these drones near Hainan Island occurs against a backdrop of intensifying maritime disputes. China's naval capabilities are a central point of friction in negotiations over sovereignty involving Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The ability to deploy stealthy, long-endurance drones could be used to deter or defeat adversaries in these contested waters.
This maritime buildup is part of a larger geopolitical posture. At the recent Xiangshan Forum, Defence Minister Dong Jun called for vigilance against "hegemony, militarism and historical revisionism." Experts interpret these remarks as a warning to Japan, whose own defense expansion has strained relations with Beijing.
China's 405-ship fleet and Dong Jun's warning
The submarine-mothership is a force multiplier for a navy that already dwarfs its competitors in raw numbers. china currently has 405 warships in commission, compared to 295 in the United States. Some analysts claim that China's shipbuilding capacity now exceeds that of Washington by a factor of 200, allowing for rapid iteration of experimental designs like the XXLUUV.
By integrating autonomous drones into a dedicated mothership, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) can extend its strike range without risking manned crews. This shift in underwater warfare tactics could fundamentally reshape how naval power is projected across the Indo-Pacific region.
The mystery of the XXLUUV's actual payload
Despite the satellite evidence, several critical details remain unverified. While the report suggests a "proportionally larger arsenal" than the Boeing Orca, the exact number of torpedoes or missiles an XXLUUV can carry has not been disclosed. Furthermore, the specific stealth technologies and the mechanism for launching these 45-metre drones from the mothership remain unknown.
It is also worth noting that the current reporting relies heavily on intelligence and analyst estimates; there has been no official confirmation or technical briefing from the Chinese government regarding the vessel's specific operational parameters.
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