China constructs second UUV mothership in Guangzhou

Imagery from social media has revealed a second naval auxiliary vessel under construction in Guangzhou, China, which observers believe serves as a mothership for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). The vessel, spotted near the Panyu district on the Pearl River, appears to be in an advanced stage of construction but still lacks sensor and communication equipment.

The ship features a visible amphibious payload bay and six masts that may function as a lifting mechanism to launch and retrieve underwater drones from beneath the hull. This new design differs from the first UUV mothership previously identified in Shanghai.

Analysts suggest this development reflects the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) procurement strategy of building prototypes to refine performance, cost, and scale before committing to mass production. While the exact shipyard remains unconfirmed, potential locations include the COMEC shipyard at Huangpu Wenchong or other nearby facilities.