Beijing, August 16, 2025 – China is preparing to publicly showcase a massive unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) during rehearsals for its upcoming military parade.
Images shared on Weibo show a very large torpedo-shaped drone being transported on a flatbed platform, confirming the physical existence of the system.
So far, Chinese authorities have not officially named the project or disclosed technical details, but experts are already comparing the concept to Russia’s Poseidon, also known as Status-6, a nuclear-powered, long-range torpedo unveiled by Vladimir Putin in 2019 as part of his “superweapons.”
Possible propulsion and capabilities
Reports from the *South China Morning Post* suggest that Beijing is researching underwater systems with disposable nuclear propulsion, capable of sustaining speeds of more than 30 knots (approximately 55 km/h) for up to 200 hours. After that period, the reactor would be jettisoned to the seabed, and the vehicle would continue operating on batteries, potentially to carry out conventional strikes.
Even so, it remains uncertain whether the new Chinese UUV is designed to carry nuclear or conventional payloads, or whether it will serve primarily as a surveillance and strategic deterrence platform.
Comparisons and mystery
While the Russian Poseidon was conceived to travel thousands of kilometers and strike coastal targets with nuclear warheads, it remains unclear whether Beijing seeks to replicate that capability or to develop a different class of undersea weapon.
Chinese nuclear scientist Guo Jian, from the China Institute of Atomic Energy, wrote in a scientific article that there are “substantial differences” between China’s project and Poseidon, though he did not provide specific details.
Vehicles spotted during parade preparations, some marked with the designation AJX002, reinforce that China is advancing toward the production of extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs). However, without official confirmation, the true mission of this new weapon remains shrouded in mystery.
Sources and images: Navalnews | defence-blog.com | X @Nickatgreat1220. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
