China Tests GJ-21 Stealth Drone on New Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship

China has announced that its GJ-21 stealth reconnaissance and strike drone has completed its first takeoff and landing aboard the country's new Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, marking a reported milestone in the development of shipborne unmanned aviation.

The successful operation was reported by Chinese state media on Friday, October 30. The GJ-21 is described by Chinese authorities as the country's first shipborne stealth reconnaissance-strike integrated drone, and the test demonstrates the ability to operate fixed-wing unmanned aircraft from a large naval platform.

According to China's Ministry of National Defense, the drone recently completed its first successful takeoff and landing on the Sichuan, which is the first vessel in China's Type 076 amphibious assault ship class.

The ministry described the operation as another significant breakthrough in the development of the country's amphibious assault ships. The ship is designed to carry fixed-wing unmanned aircraft, helicopters and amphibious equipment, giving it a different operational profile from conventional amphibious vessels.

The Sichuan was launched on December 27, 2024. It incorporates an automatic carrier landing guidance system, an integrated power system and electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested-landing technology, according to the ministry.

These systems are important because operating fixed-wing aircraft from a ship requires specialised launch and recovery equipment. Unlike helicopters, conventional fixed-wing aircraft generally need either a runway or a carrier-based system capable of providing sufficient launch assistance and a safe landing arrangement.

The Type 076 design is therefore significant for China's efforts to expand the range of aircraft that can operate from amphibious assault ships. The vessel has a full-length flight deck and is intended to support a combination of aviation and amphibious operations.

China's state broadcaster CCTV said the Sichuan had conducted consecutive sea trials in late October. The locations of the trials were not disclosed in the reports.

The ship had previously begun sea trials in November 2025. Its development has attracted attention because of the combination of a large flight deck, electromagnetic launch technology and the ability to accommodate fixed-wing unmanned aircraft.

The GJ-21 was first publicly displayed at a military parade in Beijing in 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The drone is presented by Chinese state media as a platform for both reconnaissance and strike missions.

Reuters reported that the test reflects China's wider military modernisation programme, which has included the development of advanced warships, aircraft, missiles and unmanned systems. The successful operation could provide the Chinese navy with additional options for deploying unmanned aircraft from ships operating far from land-based airfields.

Military analysts cited by Chinese state media have described the drone as potentially useful for sustained operations because it can be recovered and reused. However, the actual range, payload, sensor performance and operational capabilities of the GJ-21 have not been independently verified in the public reports.

The ability to operate drones from amphibious assault ships could have implications for maritime surveillance and naval operations. Unmanned aircraft can potentially extend a ship's observation range, provide information about activity in surrounding waters and support operations that would otherwise require crewed aircraft.

The development also reflects a broader trend in naval aviation, as militaries increasingly explore the use of unmanned systems alongside conventional aircraft and helicopters. Such systems can offer different cost, endurance and operational characteristics, although their effectiveness depends on communications, command systems, maintenance and integration with other military assets.

The Sichuan's development is part of China's broader effort to modernise its naval capabilities. The country has invested in aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, destroyers and supporting systems as it seeks to operate more effectively across a wider range of maritime environments.

The GJ-21 test represents a reported technical milestone, but it does not by itself establish the drone's operational readiness or the extent to which it can be deployed in routine missions. Further trials and official disclosures will be needed to assess the system's practical capabilities.