Last week, we explained what satellite images showed us at one of the strategic points on the geopolitical map. Everything pointed to China building an anti-stealth radar and a missile launch point in the South Sea, an area vital to global trade. Now, new images once again point to the nation of China and what clearly appears to be a new and mysterious ship.

Mysterious structure. Via satellite images of a shipyard in southeastern China, we see that the country is building a large ship with an open, flat flight deck. These satellite images also suggest that the design may correspond to a light aircraft carrier or perhaps a large amphibious assault ship; but it could also be a new type of dual-use oceanographic research vessel that China is investing in. It is widely used for civil and military purposes.

Even so, the ship was identified by Tom Shugart, a researcher at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) at the Guangzhou International Shipyard (GSI) shipyard on Longxue Island, Guangdong, and former commander of the U.S. Navy. province. . Shugart noted that construction is progressing very quickly, as satellite images of the ship between September and October 2024 show work on deck continuing.

Potential uses. According to experts, the unusual measurements of the ship in the images indicate a ship smaller than China’s Type 075 aircraft carriers. Its structure and size overlap in some respects with other countries’ light aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships; This may indicate a design aimed at low-risk operations, patrolling and surveillance.

Experts say this ship is about 200 meters long and 40 meters wide, with a main island and a smaller structure towards the bow, features that place it in the league of other light aircraft carriers such as the Hyuga-class ships. Japan is more than it is 075, as we said, is from China. Additionally, the presence of angled masts suggests there is also room for radars and sensors, both of which are common on military ships.

Aims and expansion of the Chinese Navy. They told War Zone that construction at GSI, a shipyard specializing in merchant ships, demonstrates the country’s growing interest in expanding its naval capacity across multiple locations. This also reflects China’s desire to accelerate the growth of its naval forces with aircraft carriers, amphibious ships and other modern vessels. In fact, this new type of ship can be used in patrolling, anti-submarine operations in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea, in addition to supporting amphibious and surveillance missions.

For science. As we mentioned, the ship, which is a kind of hybrid that would make sense due to China’s “military-civil fusion” policy, is also ready to serve as a military platform if necessary, although there is also the possibility that it will be used in civilian scientific research.

And since 2022, there has been talk of a contract from the Chinese government that would define a 200-meter ship with a “double island superstructure” and similar technical specifications. This structure would theoretically allow helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles to be used in scientific missions and potentially in military support.

Other alternatives. Given that China is developing ships to launch drones and conduct military experiments, the last possibility suggested is that it is a testing or training platform. But in this case, Shugart believes the ship’s size indicates a more operational use.

Regardless, the expansion of China’s naval forces and the construction of this new large-deck ship clearly reflect China’s determination to consolidate its influence at sea. This dual approach will also enable the use of naval infrastructure in a variety of missions, from military operations to humanitarian assistance and research missions, underlining the commitment to a modern and versatile fleet in the current geopolitical context.

Image | Planet Labs PBC

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