New underwater drone of unknown type spotted in China
China has created an underwater drone that belongs to the XLUUV class (ultra-large underwater unmanned aerial vehicle). It was first spotted being transported in one of the Chinese cities, which allowed us to evaluate some of the characteristics of this drone.
Here's What We Know
According to Naval News, China's new underwater drone is probably capable of carrying torpedoes, sea mines or even missile weapons. Although the drone was protected by a tarpaulin during transport, the photo shows a water cannon propulsion system.
The body of this underwater drone is approximately 11.5 metres long and 1.6 metres wide. It is similar in size to the British CETUS project for the Royal Navy and the Canadian Cellula Robotics Solus XR.
China's latest underwater drone. Illustration: Naval News
Interestingly, this is the first available photo of a known Chinese underwater drone. According to Naval News, this could be the UUV-300 underwater vehicle, which is produced both for export and for the People's Liberation Army of China, but in different versions.
Defence Express adds that this drone is not the largest among Chinese developments. In February 2025, it became known that China was working on the world's largest underwater combat drone. This drone will be 45 metres long and 5 metres wide. The characteristics of this submarine have not yet been disclosed, and its image is not publicly available.
Source: Naval News
