China 20 Meter Long Stealthy Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle ' AJX002 '

Beijing, September 3, 2025 : In a dramatic display of emerging naval power, China officially revealed the AJX-002, an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV), during its Victory Day parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event, attended by international leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, highlighted both China’s advancing military technology and its growing geopolitical ambitions.

A Quiet Giant in the Water

The AJX-002 measures around 18 to 20 meters long with a diameter of 1 to 1.5 meters, featuring a slender torpedo-like hull. Equipped with four lifting lugs for crane launch and a pump-jet propulsion system designed for low noise, the vehicle emphasizes stealth and endurance. Its modular design suggests it can be easily transported and adapted for different missions.

While Chinese officials described the system primarily as a mine-laying drone, its size and configuration strongly indicate potential for multi-role operations, including carrying torpedoes or cruise missiles, gathering intelligence, or disrupting undersea infrastructure.

Strategic Impact in Regional Tensions

The AJX-002 adds a new dimension to the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) capabilities. With long-range, autonomous endurance, it can operate far from Chinese shores, silently deploying mines in shipping lanes, patrolling contested waters, and complicating enemy anti-submarine operations.

This capability is particularly relevant in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, where the XLUUV could be used to pressure adversary navies and protect Chinese claims. Military analysts warn that such drones make naval operations significantly harder, as opponents must now guard against both manned and unmanned undersea threats.

Part of a Larger Fleet of XLUUVs

The AJX-002 is not a standalone project. China has been testing multiple large underwater drones since at least 2022, with different prototypes already spotted. Some models appear larger and feature alternative rudder designs, suggesting a family of XLUUVs optimized for diverse missions.

Together, these vehicles could be deployed in coordinated swarms, sharing intelligence in real time and executing networked operations alongside surface and aerial drones—expanding the PLA’s ability to wage multi-domain warfare.

A Broader Military Showcase

The unveiling took place in a massive parade that also featured hypersonic missiles, advanced nuclear delivery systems, directed-energy weapons, uncrewed aircraft, and robotic combat systems. By presenting the AJX-002 alongside such technologies, China underscored its ambition to project power across land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace.

While experts note that some showcased systems may still be in prototype stages, the public debut of the AJX-002 signals a major step forward in autonomous undersea warfare and reflects Beijing’s determination to challenge rivals in the world’s oceans.

The AJX-002 now stands as a symbol of China’s growing focus on stealth, autonomy, and undersea dominance—a development certain to draw close scrutiny from navies across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.