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navalside: chinafirst seen 2026-04-01

China builds large PLAN mothership for launching/recovering big UUVs

Satellite imagery indicates China is constructing a large, specialized PLAN auxiliary with a well deck and cradle-like semi-submersible platform intended to launch and recover very large uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). If confirmed, it represents a notable operational enabler for sustained UUV deployment, maintenance, and potentially modular payload handling at sea.

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deployment2026-09-10Satellite imagery suggests China building mothership ship for large uncrewed underwater vehicles in Shanghai
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