China's New Stealth Drone Warship Seen Ahead Of Massive Victory Day Parade

A new unmanned surface vessel was spotted during rehearsals for China’s upcoming Victory Day military parade, highlighting the expanding role of drone technology in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), SCMP has reported.

Photos and footage circulating online show the vessel being transported on a heavy semi-trailer. Observers noted several stealth features, including angled surfaces, a faceted hull, and a concealed superstructure, the report says.

The boat appeared to have hidden antennae and radar systems, aimed at reducing infrared, visual, and acoustic signatures.

It was painted in the Chinese navy’s white-grey-blue camouflage and did not carry a hull number. Windows in the cockpit indicate that it may also be operable by a crew. Analysts estimate its length to exceed 15 metres (49 feet).

Chinese state media confirmed that the parade will feature domestically produced weapons, with many systems appearing for the first time.

The vessel is smaller than China’s previously unveiled “Killer Whale” drone ship, a 500-tonne trimaran capable of carrying rockets, anti-ship and air-defense missiles, and helicopters.

In addition, two extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles have been seen during the rehearsals, including the torpedo-shaped AJX002, which is about 18–20 metres long and uses pump jet propulsion. Its nuclear capability has not been confirmed.

The emergence of these systems comes amid global interest in autonomous maritime drones, with the US, China, and Taiwan accelerating development following lessons from the Ukraine conflict.