China’s Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan is in the final stage of sea testing, while new footage has shown the GJ-21 stealth drone flying over northeastern China.
The vessel weighs more than 40,000 tonnes when fully loaded and can carry troops, landing craft, aircraft and armoured vehicles. Its flight deck is fitted with an electromagnetic aircraft-launch system that could be used to launch fixed-wing aircraft, including large drones such as the GJ-21.
The GJ-21 is a naval version of China’s GJ-11 stealth attack drone. It was first shown publicly at China’s Victory Day parade in September 2025 and has made only a small number of public appearances since then.
Videos posted on Chinese social media showed the drone above a highway service area in Huludao, Liaoning province. One recording was posted on 19 August. Two more videos posted on Thursday showed the GJ-21 from different directions and angles.
CCTV reported in July that Sichuan had moved into its final testing phase. The PLA Navy is expected to receive the ship by the end of this year.
Most amphibious assault ships mainly operate helicopters and aircraft designed for vertical or short-distance take-offs. Sichuan, by contrast, has an electromagnetic catapult on its flight deck. The system could allow the vessel to launch fixed-wing aircraft that cannot take off vertically.
In July, CCTV released computer-generated footage showing a GJ-21 being launched from Sichuan. The broadcaster also showed the vessel using the system to launch a red test vehicle earlier this month.
The ship is expected to carry out operations involving crewed and uncrewed fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters. It has been described as the world’s first drone carrier and as the only amphibious assault ship fitted with an electromagnetic catapult system.
Other CCTV footage from the testing period showed markings on the vessel’s deck and Sichuan deploying decoys.
Satellite images shared by X user MT Anderson on Thursday appeared to show Sichuan near the Qingdao naval base on 25 August with two Type 052 destroyers and three Type 054 frigates. Qingdao is the headquarters of the PLA Northern Theatre Command navy.
The same imagery also appeared to place China’s first aircraft carrier Liaoning nearby. The South China Morning Post said it was unable to independently verify the image. The reason the vessels were gathered in the area was not clear.
