China appears to be pushing its military-civil fusion strategy into a new and potentially disruptive phase, with evidence suggesting that a civilian cargo ship has been rapidly converted into a light military drone carrier. Recent imagery indicates that Beijing may be experimenting with the use of container ships as mobile platforms for launching large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), dramatically expanding its ability to project power at sea at relatively low cost.
The vessel at the centre of attention is Zhong Da 79, a medium-sized cargo ship spotted at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. Images that surfaced online in December 2025 initially showed the ship fitted with what appeared to be heavy combat systems more commonly associated with surface warships. These included around 60 containerised vertical missile launch system (VLS) cells, a rotary phased-array radar, over-the-horizon radar equipment, close-in weapon systems, and decoy launchers.
At first glance, the configuration suggested that Zhong Da 79 had been converted into a makeshift surface combatant or “arsenal ship.” What drew particular interest from analysts was the apparent modularity of the equipment. Rather than being permanently integrated into the hull, most of the systems appeared to be containerised and detachable, indicating that the ship could be militarised rapidly and later returned to civilian service. This approach aligns closely with China’s long-standing doctrine of military-civil fusion, which seeks to blur the boundary between civilian infrastructure and military capability.
Speculation intensified when additional images emerged from the same shipyard showing large, unfamiliar drones on the pier near Zhong Da 79. These aircraft bore a resemblance to American “Collaborative Combat Aircraft” concepts—loyal wingman-style drones designed to operate alongside manned fighters. At the time, some observers believed the drones might be linked to testing for China’s new Type-076 amphibious assault ship, which was also present at the shipyard.
The mystery deepened further when images of a previously unseen, truck-mounted electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) began circulating online. Unlike the fixed EMALS installed on China’s newest aircraft carrier Fujian, this system appeared to be road-mobile. Mounted on heavy multi-axle trucks, it featured modular linear launch tracks that could be assembled into rails, suggesting a highly flexible design intended for rapid deployment.
Initially, it was unclear whether the mobile EMALS was meant for land-based drone operations, shipboard use, or both. But as more imagery surfaced, analysts began to connect the dots. New photos of Zhong Da 79 revealed that the cargo ship had been reconfigured yet again—this time with the truck-mounted EMALS system loaded directly onto its deck.
The speed of the transformation was striking. Comparing the earlier images with the latest ones suggests that the ship was reconfigured from a missile-heavy platform into a drone-focused carrier in a matter of days. Most of the VLS cells appear to have been removed to make space for drone operations. Of the original 60 launch cells, only 24 remain. Several container slots now appear dedicated to accommodating the EMALS equipment and, potentially, additional drones.
Despite the changes, Zhong Da 79 still retains significant sensing and defensive capabilities. A large phased-array radar and other sensors remain mounted in containerised form, along with communications equipment. The ship also continues to carry a Type 1130 30mm close-in weapon system (CIWS), a rapid-fire gun designed to defend against incoming missiles and drones. However, one container previously mounted beside the CIWS—believed to house decoy launchers and life rafts—appears to have been removed in the latest configuration.
Close-up images show containers marked with the phrase “containerised weapon module development suite,” reinforcing the impression that the ship is serving as a testbed for modular military systems. The truck-mounted EMALS units themselves were photographed lined up on the deck, with their dimensions closely matching standard container sizes, further underscoring the modular, plug-and-play nature of the concept.
The launch system is arranged with four vehicles connected in a “train” to form the catapult track. A drone is positioned in a ready-to-launch posture on the rear vehicle, while another aircraft sits on the deck behind it. The trucks feature complex electrical cabling, cylindrical energy-storage units, and linear propulsion rails required for electromagnetic acceleration.
Later images showed large, swept-wing, low-observable drones mounted on the system. These aircraft resemble advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) or loyal wingman-type CCAs, potentially capable of takeoff weights of up to two tonnes. Such drones could be used for air superiority missions, deep reconnaissance, or precision strikes.
While many details remain unclear, analysts believe Zhong Da 79 currently appears to have launch capability only, with no obvious means of recovering drones. This suggests the platform may be intended primarily for one-way missions, including strike or loitering attack roles. However, some experts speculate that future iterations could incorporate recovery methods such as parachutes and inflatable airbags for sea retrieval, allowing for reuse.
Adding to the intrigue, recent photos reportedly show a CH-4 drone on the ship’s deck, according to PLA researcher Andreas Rupprecht. The CH-4 is a well-known medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV used by China for surveillance and strike missions and exported widely abroad. Its presence suggests that the ship may be intended to operate a mix of drone types, not just experimental or high-end platforms.
The broader implications of this development are significant. If successful, the concept would allow China to convert flat-decked merchant ships into auxiliary drone carriers, capable of launching high-performance fixed-wing UAVs far from traditional air bases. Given the sheer size of China’s commercial shipping fleet, this could provide Beijing with a vast pool of potential launch platforms in a crisis.
Such an approach would be particularly relevant in the Indo-Pacific, where China might seek to complicate adversary planning by dispersing its airpower across numerous civilian-looking vessels. Container ships operating in contested areas could, in theory, be rapidly transformed into drone or missile carriers, enhancing tactical flexibility and survivability.
The mobile EMALS system also has important implications beyond maritime use. Because it can provide more launch power than short or improvised runways, it could enable heavy reconnaissance or strike drones to operate from non-traditional sites, including ports, industrial zones, highways, or austere forward locations. This would allow Chinese forces to deploy drones closer to front lines, reducing transit times, increasing loiter endurance, and enabling heavier payloads.
Mobile EMALS trucks could also be dispersed and concealed more easily than fixed airbases, making them harder to target. This aligns with China’s broader emphasis on survivability and distributed operations in the face of advanced adversary strike capabilities.
That said, the concept is not without challenges. Operating an electromagnetic launch system on a rolling ship raises serious questions about power stability, structural stress, saltwater corrosion, and reliability in harsh maritime environments. Launching large, swept-wing drones over a short distance would require substantial, consistent power, and it remains unclear how the system would perform in rough seas.
Nevertheless, even with these uncertainties, the experiment fits squarely within China’s established pattern of integrating civilian assets into military planning. Beijing has already done this extensively through the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia, which relies heavily on civilian fishing vessels equipped for dual-use roles. National standards also require many new civilian ships to be built with features that facilitate rapid military mobilisation.
Another prominent example is China’s modification of large civilian roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferries for amphibious operations. These vessels, reportedly adapted with stern ramps and reinforced decks, are believed to be intended for transporting troops and heavy equipment in a potential Taiwan contingency.
The apparent conversion of Zhong Da 79 into a drone carrier follows the same logic. In a major conflict, China could draw on its enormous commercial fleet to field a dispersed, scalable force of missile and drone platforms, complicating enemy targeting and stretching defensive resources.
As tensions persist in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, the emergence of such dual-use capabilities underscores how Beijing is seeking to leverage civilian infrastructure to gain strategic and operational advantages. While many technical questions remain unanswered, the images from Shanghai suggest that China is actively experimenting with new ways to project unmanned power—quietly, modularly, and at scale.
