China’s newly revealed submarine appears to lack a traditional sail or fin. The emergence of the mysterious tower-like structure has raised alarm among naval forces across the world. The vessel, spotted by Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard in satellite imagery, is said to be so long that it can accommodate nearly 12 buses. The report first came from Naval News, and official details have not yet been disclosed by Beijing.

According to media reports, the deadly submarine is around 120 m long and features an X-shaped rudder arrangement. This design is being increasingly linked with advanced Chinese underwater platforms. Analysts say that China’s submarine fleet reflects a broader shift, with an evolving focus on undersea dominance rather than conventional surface warfare.

What is the most striking feature of the new submarine?

The most striking feature of the Chinese submarine is the lack of a traditional sail or fin, which houses periscopes, sensors, communications masts, and navigation equipment. According to Military analysts, cited by Chinese media, the design could cut hydrodynamic drag by up to one-third, enabling the submarine to evade detection more effectively.

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The design is not entirely unprecedented. In 2018, China unveiled a much smaller sail-less submarine technology demonstrator, suggesting that the new vessel could be the result of years of experimentation.

A fortress of death hidden underwater

The new submarine is capable of 360-degree rotation and can fire supersonic YJ-18 missiles, reports added. Meanwhile, defense experts said that removing this turret reduces the submarine’s underwater drag by roughly 33 percent. This means the vessel can travel faster in silent mode compared to any other submarine operating across the world. This makes it almost impossible to detect it with any sonar or radar.

Why is it called the new ‘Don’ of the Sea?

Defense experts believe that the Chinese nuclear submarine is so massive that it would measure similar to 12 large road buses stacked one behind the other. As the iron vessel can sail underwater without making a sound, it is being referred to as the new “Don of the Sea,” allowing no time for enemy reaction

Artificial Intelligence and drone power

The submarine will reportedly require minimal human crewing. All of its digital cameras and optronic sensors are integrated directly into its hull. It is believed that this large submarine can control multiple smaller underwater “drone submarines” (UUVs), deployed ahead to breach enemy defences.

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