China conducts first flight of "world’s largest drone mothership" photo

China has successfully completed the maiden flight of the “Jiutian,” regarded as the world’s largest drone mothership, highlighting the country’s rapid advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles capable of deploying weaponised drone swarms.

The unmanned aircraft conducted its first mission in Shaanxi province in northwestern China, per Bloomberg. The Jiutian, whose name translates to “nine heavens,” has been compared to an aircraft carrier due to its capacity to carry multiple drones and missiles.

Introduced publicly last year at the Zhuhai air show, Jiutian can carry up to six tons of payload and features eight hardpoints capable of mounting guided bombs, air-to-air and anti-ship missiles, and kamikaze drones — loitering munitions that wait for targets before crashing into them with explosives. Its belly can also accommodate over 100 small drones designed to deploy in swarms to overwhelm enemy air defences. Weapons experts note, however, that the aircraft’s large size could compromise its stealth in combat.

China’s steady progress in unmanned systems has drawn global attention, with the country unveiling platforms such as its next-generation amphibious assault ships, among the largest of their kind. President Xi Jinping also showcased China’s latest combat drones during a military parade in Beijing last September, highlighting the country’s nuclear ambitions and broader military modernisation efforts aimed at challenging US supremacy.

In parallel, China has carried out military purges to address corruption within its armed forces, which US intelligence believes has undermined Xi’s ambitions. Concerns have focused on graft that has affected units such as the Rocket Force, responsible for missiles and nuclear weapons, which would play a critical role in any potential conflict over Taiwan.

The effectiveness of drones has been underscored by Russia’s war in Ukraine, where low-cost unmanned systems have destroyed far more expensive military equipment, including tanks, ships, and even other drones. China’s drone programs have benefited from the country’s large manufacturing base and the success of civilian firms like DJI and Easy Fly Intelligent Technology (Wuhan) Co. Ltd.

Jiutian is manufactured by Xi’an Chida Aircraft Parts Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a state-controlled defence firm. The aircraft will undergo a series of operational tests before being integrated into the broader UAV fleet of the People’s Liberation Army.

By Tamilla Hasanova