Recent reports reveal China's construction of a potentially groundbreaking unmanned submarine, lacking a traditional sail structure and potentially becoming the world's largest underwater combat drone. Experts remain uncertain about its exact purpose but speculate about its capabilities in shallow-water operations, seabed missions, or even anti-ship or anti-submarine warfare.
China continues to bolster its military capabilities, with a particular emphasis on maritime dominance. Recent developments reveal the nation's pursuit of cutting-edge underwater technology, including the construction of a potentially groundbreaking unmanned submarine.Reports indicate that this vessel is being built at the Guangzhou Shipyard, the same facility responsible for producing the JARI USV unmanned stealth trimaran.
Observed by defense analyst MT Anderson in a floating dock, the submarine boasts moderate dimensions – 148 feet (45 meters) in length and 15 feet (5 meters) in width. Notably, it lacks a traditional sail structure, leading some experts to speculate that it could be the world's largest underwater combat drone. The absence of a sail is a common characteristic of unmanned vessels, as there is no need for a crew access tower. China, alongside other leading navies, is actively developing extra-large unmanned submarines. China's program is particularly ambitious, encompassing at least five types of vessels. If confirmed, this new submarine could dwarf the U.S. Navy's Orca XLUUV, becoming the world's largest extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle. The vessel's X-shaped rudders are anticipated to contribute to its stealth capabilities.While its exact purpose remains shrouded in secrecy, several theories have emerged. Some suggest it could be a manned submarine optimized for shallow-water operations or specialized seabed missions. Another hypothesis proposes that it serves as a transportable deep-diving vehicle, akin to Russia's Losharik (AS-12), operating alongside larger carrier submarines.The Guangzhou Shipyard, also responsible for constructing the JARI USV trimaran, is known for its advanced naval drone technology. This trimaran, showcased at Airshow China in late 2024, is equipped with anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles, a helicopter UAV, and eight vertical launch cells for missiles. It boasts advanced radar for 360-degree surveillance, a 190-foot length, a 75-foot beam width, and a full displacement of 420 tons.Adding to China's maritime assertiveness, the shipyard has been engaged in the construction of amphibious barge bridges, raising concerns about their potential use against Taiwan in a hypothetical military conflict. Naval analyst HI Sutton highlights the ambiguity surrounding the purpose of this newly constructed vessel. While smaller than conventional diesel-electric submarines, it possesses features suggestive of anti-ship or anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including torpedo tubes and a potential towed sonar array. Alternatively, it could be designed for special forces operations or seabed warfare. Ultimately, China's intentions for this enigmatic submarine remain to be fully revealed
CHINA SUBMARINE MILITARY TECHNOLOGY UNMANNED VEHICLE SEA POWER TERRORISM SPECULATION
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