In early August, military bloggers began to stir with excitement over a small detail that emerged on a Chinese shipbuilder’s social media platform. The announcement hinted at a new project, but little else was revealed at the time. The shipbuilder simply stated that the institute had unveiled the ship’s design at a coast guard equipment conference in Zhejiang. However, the shipbuilder did mention that the vessel was designed according to „system and mission requirements“ from the coast guard.
The use of the Chinese words for „mothership,“ which also translate to „carrier,“ sparked a flurry of discussions among local bloggers. The idea of a law enforcement agency operating a carrier-equivalent ship was unprecedented, as coast guards typically rely on smaller, faster vessels. Nevertheless, China has been exploring larger and more robust vessels for its coast guard, mirroring its naval assets. This suggests that Beijing has ambitious plans for the organization.
In the early summer, China deployed two massive „monster ships“ into the South China Sea, each displacing 12,000 tons and measuring 541 feet in length – three times the size of US Coast Guard cutters. The significance of size was highlighted by John Michael Dahm, a former US Navy intelligence officer, who emphasized that a vessel’s size directly correlates with its capabilities in terms of personnel, weapons, fuel, endurance, and range.
Speculation arose among bloggers about the nature of the new „mothership,“ with some suggesting it could be an aircraft carrier. However, China’s coast guard rarely utilizes manned planes for daily operations. Others proposed that the vessel could serve as a drone platform or helicopter landing dock for operations at sea.
The concept of maritime drone platforms is relatively new, but there are indications that China is developing at least one such carrier. In May, Dahm identified a large Chinese ship under construction at a Jiangsu shipyard, believed to be the world’s first dedicated drone carrier. However, it remains uncertain if this vessel is related to the coast guard „mothership.“
Experts speculate that the new coast guard vessel may not function as a carrier in the traditional sense. The 708th Shipbuilding Research Institute mentioned that the „mothership“ would provide „comprehensive support,“ suggesting that smaller coast guard vessels could fulfill this role. Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, believes that the vessel is more likely a drone carrier of 10,000 to 20,000 tons, rather than a full-size aircraft carrier.
China’s coast guard already boasts a fleet of over 200 patrolling vessels, but enhancing its presence in the South China Sea requires efficient repair and resupply capabilities. A drone carrier could address this challenge by allowing continuous deployment of drones from a central location, ensuring a constant presence in strategic areas.
The description of the new vessel as a „far seas“ support ship suggests that China may have plans to extend the reach of its coast guard beyond its territorial waters. This aligns with China’s efforts to defend its interests overseas and expand its presence in regions like the South Pacific. However, operationalizing these plans will require a network of ports and resupply points for effective operations on the high seas.
In conclusion, the unveiling of the new Chinese coast guard vessel has sparked intrigue and speculation within military circles. While the exact nature and capabilities of the „mothership“ remain shrouded in mystery, experts believe that it could signify China’s strategic shift towards utilizing drone carriers for maritime operations. As China continues to expand its coast guard capabilities, the international community will be watching closely to see how Beijing’s ambitious plans for its coast guard unfold.
