# China development of UUV mothership and new submarines > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-development-of-uncrewed-underwater-vehicle-mothership > Updated: 2026-09-24T23:07:27.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 4. Satellite imagery analysis indicates that China is constructing a specialized mothership at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. The vessel, measuring approximately 205 meters in length and 27 meters in width, is designed to deploy, recover, and support Extra-Extra Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (XXLUUV). Technical specifications suggest the ship features an enclosed hangar capable of housing up to four large drones and a stern wet well-deck equipped with a cradle system and 12 vertical jack-up arms for launching and recovery. This configuration would allow for extended underwater missions in deep waters, bypassing the limitations of stationary coastal docks. The scale of the uncrewed vehicles being developed is notable; models observed near Hainan measure between 35 and 45 meters in length, significantly larger than the United States’ Boeing Orca XLUUV, which is approximately 26 meters long. Recent imagery also reveals progress at the Bohai Shipyard in Huludao regarding a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine, potentially a Type 095. This vessel reportedly features a pumpjet propulsor for quieter operation and an X-shaped stern plane arrangement intended to enhance maneuverability and reduce its acoustic signature. These developments signal a strategic shift toward autonomous maritime systems and enhanced undersea power in the Indo-Pacific region. ## Claims - Satellite imagery from Vantor shows a new vessel under construction at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Experts describe the vessel as a potential world-first drone mother ship designed to deploy large unmanned underwater vehicles. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The vessel is approximately 205 meters long and 88.5 feet wide. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The ship features a stern dock with a platform and 12 vertical hoists to launch underwater drones. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The vessel could carry at least four large, secret unmanned underwater vehicles. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Satellite imagery also shows a new generation nuclear submarine, possibly Type 095, at the Bohai shipyard. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-24: China develops drone mother ship and new nuclear submarine Satellite imagery reveals China is constructing a potential world-first drone mother ship in Shanghai and a new generation nuclear submarine at the Bohai shipyard. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-develops-new-nuclear-submarines-and-drone-mother-ships ### 2026-09-21: China develops submarine mothership and new nuclear attack vessels Satellite imagery reveals China is building a 200-metre mothership for large uncrewed submarines and developing new nuclear-powered attack submarines with advanced propulsion and maneuverability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-develops-submarine-mothership-and-new-nuclear-attack-vessels ### 2026-09-18: China builds specialized mothership for large submarine drones China is building a 205-meter mothership in Shanghai designed to deploy and recover large uncrewed submarine drones, significantly exceeding the size of comparable Western underwater vehicles. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-builds-specialized-mothership-for-large-submarine-drones ### 2026-09-15: China builds potential first-of-its-kind uncrewed submarine mothership China is reportedly building a specialized mothership in Shanghai designed to launch and support large extra-extra large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XXLUUV). 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-builds-suspected-world-first-mothership-for-underwater-drones --- Cite as: China development of UUV mothership and new submarines. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-development-of-uncrewed-underwater-vehicle-mothership