Photos show second Chinese ship believed to be a mothership for extra-large underwater drones, built in southern China as vessels could support operations far from home

Photos show a second ship in China believed to be a mothership for extra-large underwater drones. It was built at a shipyard in southern China, while the first ship was launched at Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard.

The ships would allow China to deploy and service the drones far from home, including in the Indian Ocean. The drones they are meant to support were tested off Hainan and measure 35 to 45 meters long—much larger than the U.S. Navy’s Orca. They could be used for surveillance, minelaying and strike missions.