China launched an unmanned ship named Zhu Hai Yun. According to state-run Science and Technology Daily, it can be controlled remotely, navigate autonomously in pen water, and carry dozens of drones, submersibles and other vessels for conducting ocean research. The ship is 88.5 meters long, 14 meters wide, and 6.1 meters deep, with a designed displacement of 2000 tons. The ship can sail at 13 knots (24 km per hour) with a top speed of 33 km per hour. 

It could be used for marine environment monitoring, disaster prevention and mitigation. The ship will also be used for offshore wind farm maintenance and accurate marine information. Chen Dave, director of the laboratory, stated that the ship would bring revolutionary changes to ocean observation.  

Rapid development in AI has made way for an increased role of unmanned platforms for maritime security, controlling sea lanes, and competing for marine resources. The PLA Navy was also working on an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) known as JARI, developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.  

PLAN first revealed the JARI model in 2018 and launched a prototype in 2019, and by January 2020, they conducted sea trials. Several other navies foresee USVs as the heart of future strategies such as the US. According to the US Navy Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael Gilday, unmanned systems will be critical in future operations. He added that that is why they are expanding and developing a range of unmanned vehicles and surface vessels. The Zhu Hai Yun is not only an unmanned ship but also a ‘drone carrier’.  

Alongside, there have been reports of India looking to develop a third aircraft carrier capable of accommodating fighter jets and drones.