A satellite image capturing an unidentified flat-top vessel at a shipyard in southeastern China has sparked international intrigue and speculation. The vessel, which does not appear to resemble any known Chinese ships currently in development, was first spotted in satellite imagery of the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) on Longxue Island, near Guangzhou. This discovery has led defense analysts and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) experts to speculate that China may be working on a new type of naval vessel, potentially marking the emergence of a novel class within the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The first to notice the new vessel was Tom Shugart, a defense analyst and former submariner who is now an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Shugart identified the vessel in an image dated September 2024, which he subsequently posted to social media. The post quickly garnered the attention of naval analysts and military enthusiasts worldwide, prompting a flurry of theories about the vessel’s intended use and design.
The flat-top ship, reportedly around 200 meters long and 40 meters wide, features a design that includes two island superstructures positioned along one side of the deck. This unconventional configuration led to a host of theories, with Shugart suggesting it could potentially be a new type of aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship. Another prominent analyst, Mike Dahm, from the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, had previously identified a smaller drone carrier at another Chinese shipyard, indicating that China may be experimenting with new naval designs that extend beyond traditional capabilities.
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Shugart observed, “It just jumped out to me that next to the possible new Chinese USV [Unmanned Surface Vessel] is what looks like might be…possibly a new aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship of some sort.” Subsequent satellite imagery released in October 2024 appears to reveal the flight deck of this mysterious vessel, fueling further interest and speculation among defense analysts worldwide.
With limited information available, theories about the vessel’s purpose and classification remain speculative. Some observers suggest it could be a USV carrier, while others lean towards the idea of an amphibious landing dock or even a scientific research vessel. GSI, the shipyard where this vessel was spotted, has traditionally focused on constructing civilian ships, gas container vessels, and roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships, primarily used for civilian or transport purposes.
The sighting of this vessel at a civilian-oriented shipyard further complicates efforts to pin down its potential role within the PLA’s growing naval arsenal. Alex Luck, a defense analyst known for his deep insights into PLA activities, speculated that the flat-top vessel might not be an actual carrier but an experimental platform. “More imagery needed (obviously). Longxue so far primarily built PLAN auxiliaries in addition to civilian hulls,” he wrote on X. Luck suggested that, based on GSI’s previous projects, the vessel might be an experimental hull or prototype, rather than a new combat vessel.
Adding to the confusion, this same shipyard has been associated with the development of advanced unmanned platforms. In 2022, Chinese state-run publication Global Times reported on a large, unmanned ship in construction at the GSI facility. This has led some experts to consider the possibility that this newly identified vessel could represent an advanced unmanned platform intended for deployment as a support ship or drone carrier.
The appearance of a mysterious flat-top in Chinese waters underscores China’s expanding naval capabilities and evolving military ambitions. Over the past decade, the PLAN has been engaged in a rapid and unprecedented shipbuilding campaign, producing aircraft carriers, destroyers, and amphibious assault ships at a scale that is unparalleled in modern history. China’s military doctrine increasingly emphasizes maritime power projection, an evolution that could be crucial for its long-term strategic goals, including possible future operations in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
Currently, the PLAN operates two aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, which are both active and provide China with valuable blue-water capabilities. A third aircraft carrier, the Type 003 ‘Fujian,’ equipped with advanced electromagnetic catapults, is currently undergoing testing and is expected to enter service in 2025. This advanced carrier is part of China’s larger plan to develop a blue-water navy capable of projecting power far from its shores, challenging the United States’ presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Reports suggest that China’s fourth aircraft carrier, the Type 004, is also in the early stages of construction. If completed as planned, this carrier would be China’s most advanced, featuring nuclear propulsion, laser weapons, and an integrated electric system capable of supporting rail guns. Such advancements reflect China’s ambition to not only match but potentially surpass the naval capabilities of the United States.
In addition to its heavy carriers, China has developed and deployed the Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) amphibious assault ships. These ships are designed for complex operations, including amphibious landings, and are considered critical assets for potential operations aimed at Taiwan. According to some Chinese defense experts, the Type 075 is likely to play a central role in any PLA operation in Taiwan, working in conjunction with Ro-Ro vessels to enable rapid troop deployment.
China is also in the process of constructing a more advanced amphibious assault ship, known as the Type 076, which is expected to eventually succeed the Type 075. The Type 076 is a unique vessel, featuring a catamaran hull design and a larger flight deck, measuring approximately 260 meters by 52 meters. This design reportedly allows for an expanded deck area capable of supporting drone and helicopter operations, potentially marking it as the world’s largest amphibious assault ship.
The Type 076 is a testament to China’s focus on integrating unmanned systems into its naval operations. Defense analysts have speculated that this vessel could serve as a dedicated drone carrier, a concept that aligns with the PLAN’s apparent interest in expanding its unmanned capabilities. The idea of a dedicated drone carrier highlights China’s broader strategy to leverage new technologies to enhance its maritime strength and operational flexibility.
China’s ongoing naval expansion is consistent with its aspiration to develop a blue-water navy capable of projecting influence well beyond its regional waters. In recent years, Beijing has significantly increased its shipbuilding capacity, aiming to bolster the PLAN’s ability to conduct operations in distant seas while maintaining a strong presence in its own territorial waters. This shift towards a global naval posture could have significant implications for the regional power balance in the Indo-Pacific, particularly concerning tensions with the United States and its allies.
The emergence of a blue-water navy is not only about military might but also about securing China’s strategic interests abroad. In addition to the traditional carrier strike groups and amphibious assault platforms, China has also been investing in Ro-Ro ships and dedicated car carriers, which can double as amphibious transport vessels. Some defense experts suggest that this fleet of Ro-Ro vessels could play a critical role in a potential invasion of Taiwan, enabling China to rapidly transport troops and equipment across the Taiwan Strait.
The unveiling of new, unconventional vessels such as the mysterious flat-top at GSI and the Type 076 amphibious assault ship underscores China’s determination to innovate and expand its maritime capabilities. As China continues to develop a range of platforms, from manned carriers to unmanned surface vessels, the PLAN is gradually positioning itself as a formidable blue-water navy capable of operating in multiple theaters.
China’s naval expansion has not gone unnoticed by other major powers, particularly the United States, Japan, and Australia, which have all taken steps to bolster their own maritime capabilities in response. The U.S., with its Indo-Pacific strategy, has been focused on maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, viewing China’s maritime expansion as a direct challenge to regional stability.
Japan, too, has accelerated its defense spending, modernizing its own Self-Defense Forces and acquiring advanced capabilities, such as the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, which can operate from its Izumo-class helicopter destroyers. Australia has also ramped up its naval investments, collaborating with the U.S. and the U.K. on the AUKUS partnership, which includes a plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines to counterbalance China’s growing naval strength.
In the wake of the recent sightings at GSI, defense analysts around the world continue to monitor developments in China’s naval infrastructure and shipbuilding activities. The true purpose of the flat-top vessel remains unclear, but it represents yet another indicator of China’s evolving military capabilities and its ambitions to project power on a global scale.
