China continues to innovate in the underwater arena. A fresh image reveals one of its latest creations, an extra-large underwater drone (XLUUV). The drone is likely armed with torpedoes, mines or missiles, setting it apart from Western types.
A previously unseen submersible has been observed in China. Candid images, made available to Naval News, show the vessel being carried by a truck through a Chinese city. At first glance the object on the truck may appear to be an aircraft fuselage. But closer inspection reveals that it is highly likely to be an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV).
Naval News has assessed the information and cross-referenced it with other unpublished sources. This reveals a previously unreported vessel which is at the cutting edge of naval technology. China is investing heavily in these capabilities but is keeping progress under wraps. Images like this provide rare insights into what is clearly a large and important program seeking an advantage over Western navies.
Disguised Cargo – Submersible Under Wraps
The vessels lines are partly obscured by a plastic tarpaulin which is closely wrapped around it with netting. The body has rounded lines with a streamlined bump along its back, likely for folding masts. Unusually, the upper rudder is significantly taller than the lower one, giving it the aircraft-like appearance. At the stern another tarpaulin covers the propulsor. This appears to be a pump jet or shrouded screw, but caution is needed interpreting this through the tarp. It is not uncommon to disguise propellers on newly launch submersibles.
The underwater drone is carried on a cradle of the type used to lower them into the water. The truck allows a reasonable estimation of its size. It is approximately 11-12 meters (36-39 feet) long with the main body being around 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. Width is likely similar. This places it well within the XLUUV category, and is typical of vehicles designed to be large, yet small enough to transport in a standard ISO 40ft container. The height of the vertical rudder, at approximately 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) would require it to be broken down for transport in a container however.
Analysis of known developments suggests that the vessel may be related to the UUV-300, a type first revealed at DSA 2024 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May 2024. If so, it is the first time one has been observed ‘in the flesh’. In fact, it is the first image of any of China’s XLUUVs from ground level; previous imagery used for analysis has been from satellites.
China Seeks Advantage In Uncrewed Naval Warfare
If it is not exactly a UUV-300, then it is least a vessel which is very similar. The UUV-300 has public specifications of being 11.5 meters (38 feet) long with a diameter of 1.6 meters (5 feet). This is very close to our estimates of the vessel in the image. This places it in the same size category as the Royal Navy’s CETUS design, and Canadian Cellula Robotics Solus-XR.
The UUV-300, and Chinese XLUUVs in general, can be armed with torpedoes, mines or even missiles. This reflects a willingness to weaponize underwater drones in ways which have been resisted among free and open countries. There are practical, legal and ethical considerations, but the path is clear and China is already further along it.
The UUV-300 underwater drone has been offered for export so there are likely separate types intended for Chinese Navy (PLAN – People’s Liberation Army Navy) use. China is known to have tested at least 5 distinct types of XLUUVs, and it is likely that several will enter service. The unsuccessful types, which may still be credible, may be the ones offered for export. This puts China at a significant advantage over Western countries which tend to only develop one or two XLUUV types for their domestic use.
