China has once again caught Western intelligence off guard with the discovery of a previously unknown submarine design at the Guangzhou Shipyard. The mysterious vessel, spotted recently in satellite imagery by defense analyst MT Anderson, showcases several unprecedented features that have left naval experts speculating about its capabilities and purpose.
The submarine, estimated to be approximately 45 meters long and 5 meters wide, stands out for its unconventional design choices. Most notably, it appears to lack a traditional sail (conning tower) and is equipped with large X-form rudders at the stern - features that deviate substantially from typical submarine architecture.
This new vessel differs from China's recently unveiled Type-041 nuclear-battery submarine and the previously reported 'Olympic' class. Its discovery at Guangzhou Shipyard is particularly intriguing, as this facility has no known history of submarine construction.
The vessel's sailless design makes it only the second such submarine known to be built by China, following a experimental prototype launched in 2019 at the Jiangnan Shipyard. While sharing similar dimensions with its predecessor, analysis confirms this is an entirely new construction rather than a modification.
Naval experts are divided on whether this represents a crewed vessel or potentially the world's largest uncrewed underwater vehicle. If unmanned, it would be 6-8 times larger than the U.S. Navy's Orca XLUUV program vessels. The presence of apparent torpedo tubes and possible towed sonar array suggests combat capabilities, though its relatively small size could indicate specialized roles in shallow water operations, special forces deployment, or seabed warfare.
This development adds another chapter to China's pattern of secretly developing naval assets, contrasting sharply with Western practices where submarine programs are typically public knowledge years before construction begins. The vessel's true purpose and capabilities remain a matter of speculation among Western defense analysts.