A new unmanned boat caught attention during rehearsals for the September 3 military parade in China, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The surface vehicle features stealth characteristics such as a faceted hull, concealed superstructure, and possible use of radar-absorbing materials. Although it can operate without a crew, the boat has windows in the cockpit, indicating the possibility of human control as well.
The equipment’s appearance suggests it has already entered military service, reinforcing China’s investment in autonomous naval systems. The country has been expanding its fleet of maritime and underwater drones, as demonstrated by the AJX002 model, similar to the Russian nuclear torpedo Poseidon. Additionally, the new boat is smaller than the “Killer Whale,” a 500-ton surface drone unveiled by China last year, capable of carrying missiles and rockets.
This development takes place amid a global technological race. The United States and China are accelerating the development of unmanned vehicles, influenced by the strategic role these devices have played in the war in Ukraine, where naval drones helped weaken the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
While Taiwan is also investing in this type of technology, the U.S. Navy faces challenges after recent failures in tests with drone boats, highlighting the difficulties of large-scale deployment of these systems.
Source: South China Morning Post | Photo: X @Recon_surv | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
BREAKING; CHINA is preparing to unveil a large unmanned surface vessel during the upcoming military parade !!
It was spotted in Beijing!! pic.twitter.com/uhqYPIOOHA
— Recon & surveillance (@Recon_surv) August 18, 2025
