Experts from the People’s Republic of China are preparing to send a manned underwater vehicle to examine the polar seabed of the Arctic Ocean. The polar submarine, designed by the 704 Research Institute of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, will be launched through a special hole in the hull of the polar research ship Tan Suo San Hao (Explorer Three).

The publication reported South China Morning PostA number of tests have already been carried out, including underwater docking and operation in low temperature conditions. However, there are no details about the device yet. All systems and equipment were developed by Chinese engineers without the involvement of foreign experts.

Tan Suo San Hao, which left the dock in April 2024, is expected to become operational and begin marine research next year.

China calls itself a “Near-Arctic” state and is actively building icebreakers. We should also point out that Russia is the only country in the world that has sent manned vehicles to the bottom of the North Pole today. The expedition took place in 2007.