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China Turns Cargo Ships Into Deadly Drone Carriers, Images Show. Why It Could Be A Nightmare For The U.S.?

By
Sakshi Tiwari
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China appears to have modified a civilian cargo ship to be a military drone carrier. It’s an effort that aligns with Beijing’s “military-civil fusion” strategy, enabling low-cost, scalable force projection by leveraging the vast Chinese merchant fleet for dual-use roles in potential conflicts.

Images of a medium cargo vessel, Zhong Da 79, taken at Shanghai-based Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard appeared online in December 2025, showing the civilian freighter with 60 containerised vertical missile launchers (VSL), a rotary phased-array radar, over-the-horizon radars, close-in weapon systems, and decoy launchers.

At the time, the images seemed to suggest that the medium-weight cargo ship had been converted into a potential surface combatant, in line with China’s civil-military fusion strategy, which calls for rapid militarisation of civilian (or dual-use) platforms.

Since the military systems installed aboard the cargo ship appeared to be detachable, containerised units rather than being permanently integrated into the hull, military watchers conjectured that the vessel may be refurbished to act as a temporary “arsenal ship” as and when the need arises, and could later be pulled back into civilian service.

Shortly after the ship was spotted, another set of images from the same shipyard surfaced, showing American Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)-like drones on the pier next to the converted cargo ship.

At the time, PLA analysts speculated that these mystery drones may be intended for testing aboard the Type-076 amphibious attack ship, which was docked at the same shipyard for initial trials.

However, just as the PLA watchers were trying to make sense of these photographs from the Shanghai-based shipyard, another set of images showing a modern, road-mobile electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) catapult appeared online.

This spectacular, never-before-seen Chinese launch platform was truck-mounted on heavy multi-axle road trailers and featured a modular launch track composed of linear segments that could be assembled into rails.

Needless to say, it piqued interest and sparked speculation that it was designed for drone launch from land or from the decks of ships, not specifically for drone operations.

While the string of these military spotting garnered significant interest, we finally have a clearer picture that puts all those images in perspective: the Zhong Da 79 cargo ship has been installed with a truck-mounted EMALS, indicating that it is being converted into something of a light drone carrier.

Interestingly, the gap between the previous and new photos suggests that the ship was quickly reconfigured into a multi-role drone carrier in just a few days.

Zhong Da 79 Modified To Be A Drone Carrier

Unlike the first time it was seen, with 60 VLS on board, the cargo ship seems to have removed most of its weaponry to make room for drone launches. There are just 24 of the 60 vertical launch cells left on board, but the ship still has six missile containers to accommodate the catapult equipment and, perhaps, more drones.

The ship retains a large phased array radar, other sensors, and communications systems installed on containers, as well as the Type 1130 30mm close-in weapon system (CIWS). However, the container attached to the 30mm CIWS’s starboard side, which contained life rafts and decoy launchers, has disappeared in the new photos.

The words “containerised weapon module development suite” were seen on the ship’s containers in close-up shots of the photos. The trucks were photographed in front of some remaining containers, with their dimensions seemingly compatible with those of the containers.

Regarding the catapult arrangement, four vehicles are connected in a “train” to form the catapult track. A “ready to launch” drone is positioned atop the back vehicle, while another is seated on the deck behind it. The trucks, loaded as cargo onto the deck, also feature complex electrical wiring, cylindrical energy-storage drums, and propulsion rails for electromagnetic acceleration.

Subsequent images released online showed large, swept-wing, low-observable “loyal wingman”-style collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) mounted on the system, resembling advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) capable of up to 2 tons takeoff weight.

While specific details about the ship remain shrouded in mystery, analysts suggest it may be able to launch large, high-performance UAVs for air superiority, reconnaissance, or strikes.

Image
Mobile EMALS installed aboard modified Zhong Da 79 (Via X)

Currently, the ship appears to have only launch capability, so the drones would likely conduct one-way missions. However, Beijing could devise a potential landing mechanism via parachutes and airbags for later sea recovery and reuse. But, at the same time, there is a possibility that it is used only to launch suicide drones.

Some of the latest photos show a CH-4 drone on the freighter’s deck, as noted by Andreas Rupprecht, a PLA researcher and commentator on X. The CH-4 is one of the most popular drones in the PLA arsenal, tailored for reconnaissance and strike missions.

The development comes amid conjecture that the Chinese military is testing the conversion of flat-decked merchant ships into auxiliary aircraft carriers.

It could, in theory, launch high-performance fixed-wing combat drones from any of the thousands of container ships in China’s commercial fleets, increasing Beijing’s tactical flexibility, particularly in the event of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific.

It is also pertinent to note that the mobile EMALS could launch heavy reconnaissance, strike, or target drones that require more power than short runways can provide. This means that the truck EMALS would also enable operations from non-traditional sites, such as ports, industrial zones, prepared flat surfaces, or austere locations without full runways.

Image
Undisclosed UAV on mobile EMALS (Via X)

Moreover, these mobile EMALS trucks would enable the Chinese military to deploy drones closer to the front lines, cutting down transit time, boosting loiter endurance, and increasing the ability to transport larger combat payloads. These trucks could be deployed independently to evade discovery and attack, unlike vulnerable static runways.

It must be remembered that the mobile truck-EMALS is not the same as the EMALS installed aboard the aircraft carrier Fujian. However, it represents China’s push toward flexible, high-tech launch options for unmanned systems, enhancing its drone warfare capabilities amid growing naval and air power projection.

There are still viability issues, such as power stability, saltwater corrosion, and maritime vibrations, which could make reliability difficult. Additionally, the exact space aboard the ship and how the launch will take place, given that launching a rather heavy swept-wing drone over such a short distance would require significant power.

There is no clarity on how this mobile EMALS system would function on a rolling, heaving ship and how it would withstand the severe maritime climate while exposed on the ship’s deck.

Image for Representation (Photo by Greg Baker / AFP)

However, once these issues are fixed, it would align with China’s “dual-use” maritime strategy, where civilian ships can be swiftly reconfigured for military use in a conflict scenario in the Taiwan Strait or the contested South China Sea.

We know that China has significantly integrated civilian vessels into its military capabilities through a strategy of military-civil fusion, including the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) and national standards mandating new civilian ships to meet defence criteria for fast mobilisation.  The PAFMM primarily consists of civilian fishing vessels and trawlers, often equipped with advanced communications or purpose-built for dual use.

The other example of this maritime civilian-military fusion is the notorious Ro-Ro ship. 

China has reportedly modified large civilian RO-RO ferries for amphibious operations, especially for a potential Taiwan invasion. These vessels can transport troops, tanks, and other vehicles, with modifications such as stern ramps enabling offshore launch and recovery of amphibious armoured vehicles.

These dual-use vessels blur the lines between civilian and military roles, enabling rapid mobilisation, logistics support, or missile strikes without relying on warships.

With the conversion of cargo ships into drone carriers, China aims to achieve a similar objective. If the US and China go to war, Beijing would be able to convert a massive commercial fleet into make-shift drone carriers or missile carriers.

 

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