An advanced stealth attack drone may have been photographed on the Chinese navy’s amphibious assault ship Sichuan, possibly marking another step towards the commissioning of the Type 076 naval vessel that is expected to play a key role in the Taiwan Strait.
Photos circulating on Chinese social media since Saturday purportedly show the Sichuan leaving its home port in Shanghai. In one of the images, a carrier-based aircraft draped in green cloth can be seen resting on the deck.
It is unknown when and where the photos were taken of China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, named after the southwestern province of Sichuan and carrying hull number 51.
The Type 076 is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, similar to the technology installed on the Fujian, China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, which officially entered service in November last year.
The advanced electromagnetic system enables faster and more frequent launches, and means that aircraft can carry more fuel and ammunition.
Some observers suggested that the mysterious covered aircraft in the image could be China’s fixed-wing stealth attack drone, potentially indicating that the Sichuan had entered the large drones testing phase of its sea trials.
The amphibious assault ship is expected to become one of Beijing’s most important assets in any potential action against Taiwan. It is designed to transport landing craft, troops, armoured vehicles and aircraft to support amphibious operations.
With a full-load displacement of more than 40,000 tonnes, the Sichuan remains the only Type 076 ship to be launched to date. Chinese media often refer to it as a potential light aircraft carrier for drones.
Last August, state broadcaster CCTV said the ship would perform drone reconnaissance and strike missions to support amphibious operations and island control.
The Sichuan’s first sea trial in November last year verified power and electrical systems. After its completion, the manufacturer China State Shipbuilding Corporation released a computer-generated concept image of the vessel on social media.
Song Zhongping, a military analyst and former PLA instructor, pointed out that at least six GJ-21 aircraft – the naval variant of the Chinese stealth attack drone GJ-11 – were visible on the deck in the concept image.
“If it is true that the Sichuan is carrying the GJ-21 drone, it would be expected to conduct another sea trial, indicating that the Sichuan’s service process has progressed to the testing phase related to large drones,” Song said.
According to official media, the Sichuan is expected to be delivered to the PLA Navy by the end of this year. The latest images appear to show what may be the vessel’s third sea trial since its launch in December 2024.
The GJ-11 entered service in 2019 and made its debut at the military parade in October that year.
It is also the Chinese military’s first confirmed uncrewed combat aircraft capable of collaborating with manned fighter jets. Last November, the PLA Air Force released a video showing a GJ-11 flying alongside and linked with a J-20 stealth fighter.
The GJ-21 naval variant appeared at China’s Victory Day parade in September. Beijing said that all of the equipment displayed at the event was in service.
According to earlier Chinese media reports, the Type 076 is expected to also carry J-35 stealth fighters, KJ-600 early warning aircraft and a range of helicopters and amphibious equipment.
Ultimately, the Type 076 amphibious assault ship is expected to become a single command centre for amphibious operations.
The Sichuan has one electromagnetic catapult compared with the Fujian’s two, which analysts believe would be sufficient for the rapid launching of large drones.
“The electromagnetic catapult system on the Type 076 amphibious assault ship is largely designed for drones. One of the ship’s main functions is to serve as a support drone carrier,” Song said.
The current mainstay of the PLA Navy’s amphibious warfare capabilities is the Type 075 amphibious assault ship. Four of these small aircraft carriers, the predecessor to the Type 076, are in service.
The Type 075 was launched in September 2019, entering service 19 months later and has been commissioned successively since 2021.
At the end of December, a Type 075 amphibious assault ship took part for the first time in a large-scale military exercise near Taiwan, when the Hainan sailed near the island as part of an amphibious formation of four ships.
Closed-circuit television footage showed that the Hainan was conducting live-fire exercises while also carrying helicopters during the People’s Liberation Army’s two-day Justice Mission 2025 exercise, which began on December 29.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary and has stepped up military and political pressure on the island.
Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. However, Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
