China’s sophisticated unmanned underwater drones have been described as “disruptive,” as new details emerge about their capabilities.
According to the Chinese military journal Ordnance Industry Science Technology, the unmanned submersibles have “zero-radius turning manoeuvrability”, enabling them to “operate with ease in complex maritime environments.”
In the journal, author Tang Yi noted that the drones are “disruptive” and operate below 90 decibels to avoid enemy sonar detection.
China unveiled some of its weaponry in a massive military parade last month, including a giant AJX-002 submarine drone.
The drone, which measures up to 65ft in length, could potentially be used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Last week, the Philippine Coast Guard confiscated a Chinese-made underwater drone recovered by local fishermen in the South China Sea.
The Coast Guard shared images of the 12-foot-long drone, which it said “highlights ongoing illegal marine scientific research in Philippine waters.”
“Preliminary observations show that the device features a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) sensor—a compact probe designed to measure seawater salinity, temperature, and depth, which are key parameters for oceanographic profiling,” the Coast Guard wrote on X.
The Coast Guard said similar drones have been recovered in the past, noting that they had “tools for advanced underwater surveillance and seafloor mapping.”
“Recovered units have shown capabilities for autonomous data processing, storage, and satellite transmission, with one case revealing encrypted communications to mainland China during operations,” the Coast Guard said.
A forensic examination of the drone is being carried out to determine its exact origin, operational history, and potential security risks.
