China tests carrier-like ship, but mystery vessel’s purpose remains murky

Images show ship with flight deck that can carry drones and helicopters, but it is not clear whether it is for civilian or military use

Reading Time:2 minutes

The new vessel shares similarities with the Chinese navy’s Type 075 landing helicopter dock, but it features three protruding structures on the flight deck, rather than two. Photo: X/ @sugar_wsnbn

Published: 7:00pm, 3 Dec 2024

China has tested a mysterious, carrier-like vessel featuring a large flight deck that is likely to be used for drones and crewed helicopters, according to photos and videos circulating on social media.

While the ship’s size and configurations are similar to the Chinese naval Type 075 landing helicopter dock, its light aircraft carrier design with three, instead of two, protruding island-like structures has made it a first of its kind.

The ship, measuring some 200 metres (656 feet) long, is believed to be docked at a facility owned by shipbuilding company Comec on Longxue Island in the southern city of Guangzhou. US military news site The War Zone, which was the first to report on the vessel, said it was probably a civilian research ship capable of supporting naval missions.

Comec, formerly Guangzhou Shipyard International Company, is a subsidiary under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) focused on commercial vessels.

According to The War Zone, the ship seems to have been launched between September 10 and October 9.

A video circulating on social media last week showed the vessel appeared to be sailing under its own power as little as two months after its launch, suggesting it was built very quickly.

The ship was spotted next to China’s large unmanned combat vessel JARI-USV-A, known as Orca, in October.