The Chinese government has begun testing an unusual, unmanned submarine with three hulls in the Bohai Sea. According to reports from Naval News, a specialized naval website, the submarine is designed to surface and launch between 16 and 18 missiles. The existence of this submarine was first revealed on October 29, 2025, when it was still under construction and covered in a shipyard. Analysts describe the submarine as a hybrid between a surface ship and a submarine.
The submarine's design has garnered significant attention from military analysts due to its unusual three-hulled structure. The central hull and two lateral hulls make up the submarine's body. Satellite images show that the submarine is likely unmanned and designed for high speeds. According to Naval News, the submarine features launch tubes that can be raised vertically, hangar doors that open on the sides, and an electric propeller for underwater navigation.
Naval News suggests that the submarine may be a "navire arsenal," a ship designed to carry a large number of missiles. The website also speculates that the submarine could serve as a mother ship for drones, although the exact function of the submarine's front section is unclear. The construction of this submarine has been discussed in Chinese security circles since 2017.
Despite the attention generated by the submarine's design, the Chinese Navy has not released any information about the program, the number of missiles it will carry, or the testing process. As a result, the details available are based on estimates from analysts. H I Sutton, an analyst who first reported on the submarine, noted that China is moving ahead with concrete developments, unlike Western navies, which often have concepts that remain on paper.
Sutton's observation is based on the rapid pace of China's submarine launches. According to Naval News, China has launched between 15 and 20 submarines in the past five years, including at least eight new classes. In contrast, many Western navies struggle to build one or two submarines at a time. This rate of production has allowed China to rapidly expand its naval capabilities.
The development of this three-hulled submarine is part of a broader effort by China to modernize and expand its navy. The Chinese government has invested heavily in its naval capabilities in recent years, with a focus on developing new technologies and designs. The testing of this submarine is likely to continue to generate interest and speculation among analysts and naval experts.
The testing of the three-hulled submarine in the Bohai Sea is a significant development in the field of naval technology. As China continues to develop and deploy new naval capabilities, it is likely to have a major impact on the balance of power in the region. The international community will be watching closely as this technology continues to evolve and mature.
Key points
- China tests unmanned, three-hulled submarine in Bohai Sea
- Submarine designed to launch 16-18 missiles
- China's rapid submarine production pace contrasts with Western navies
