New imagery circulating on Chinese social media appears to show a second Chinese UUV mothership for the People’s Liberation Army Navy, with observers saying the vessel is designed to support very large unmanned underwater vehicles through specialized onboard handling systems.
The brief clips, originally posted on Weibo and later shared on other platforms including X, show several tugboats towing the incomplete auxiliary ship. The hull is covered in scaffolding and lacks visible sensors or communications equipment. The footage places the vessel on the Pearl River in Guangzhou near the Panyu district, where the distinctive GAEI headquarters building can be seen in the background. While the builder has not been confirmed, analysts note the proximity of the COMEC yard linked to Huangpu Wenchong on Longxue Island. Other Huangpu facilities further upriver could also conduct fitting-out work. One of those yards has turned out a range of naval platforms, from frigates and surveillance ships to Type 728 Zubr-class LCAC and a recently disclosed trimaran submersible.
View from the stern, with the amphibious payload bay visible. Six masts may support a lifting cradle for launch and recovery of underwater vehicles beneath the hull. Image via Sinodefenceforum, originally Chinese social media.
An earlier report highlighted another presumed Chinese UUV mothership under construction at Hudong in Shanghai. That ship is slightly over 200 meters long and features twelve lifting masts at the stern. The arrangement appears intended to raise and lower a cradle integrated into a well deck–like opening, potentially accommodating payloads up to about 50 meters in length for sea launch and recovery. Satellite imagery indicates China is assessing at least two very large UUV designs measuring roughly 35 to 45 meters, which would rank among the largest known military UUVs globally.
Chinese UUV mothership designs show shared role, differing layouts
The Guangzhou vessel differs in size and configuration from the Shanghai unit. Initial estimates suggest a length closer to 150 meters, with a narrower beam. The stern handling gear also departs from the earlier design. Instead of twelve masts arranged two abreast at staggered heights, the Guangzhou ship shows six similarly tall masts in a two-abreast layout. Both ships share a raised forward deckhouse with the bridge at the front and a large opening at the rear that appears to lead into a hangar-like space.
The first design at Hudong on Changxing Island in Shanghai appears larger than the Guangzhou unit and shows multiple design differences. Image via Chinese social media.
Propulsion arrangements appear comparable, with paired smokestacks for diesel engines situated aft of the forward deckhouse. The exhaust structures differ slightly, likely reflecting variations in installed power. The Guangzhou hull presents a more conventional form, with inboard tumblehome limited to the deckhouse. By contrast, the Shanghai ship’s upper hull angles inward from near the bow along most of its length. Both vessels feature a stern opening comparable to a well deck gate.
Guangzhou yard expands portfolio of PLAN support vessels
The suspected builder for the second Chinese UUV mothership is COMEC, formerly GSI, which has been active in producing auxiliary ships for the Chinese Navy in recent years. Notably, the yard has assembled two sets of amphibious barges since around 2024, which observers associate with potential support roles for amphibious operations toward Taiwan.
COMEC also continues to deliver replenishment ships, including a new batch of Type 903A oilers. The yard recently launched the first hull of a larger supply ship akin to, but bigger than, the two Type 901 fast combat support ships assigned to carrier groups. A second hull of this roughly 65,000-ton class appears to be taking shape as well. Recent output also includes two new submarine support ship types, an experimental carrier-like flat-top intended for UAV trials, and the third Type 920 hospital ship, which entered service in 2025.
The exact mission of the new auxiliary will likely remain unclear for some time. Chinese authorities rarely release detailed information on novel or specialized naval programs. More definitive assessments will rely on additional imagery that clarifies the configuration and intended employment of these purpose-built vessels.
China’s pursuit of large unmanned undersea platforms is being matched by other navies, including the United States, which is exploring concepts such as the SSN(X) next generation submarine to anchor future undersea forces.