World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
China says GJ-21 drone took off and landed on Sichuan warship
China says its GJ-21 drone completed its first ship-based takeoff and landing this month.
The test took place on the Sichuan, China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship.
The GJ-21 is designed for reconnaissance and strikes, and first appeared at a military parade last year.
The trial shows China is working to operate fixed-wing stealth drones from large naval ships as part of its military modernisation.
A military expert quoted by state media said the drone can be recovered and reused, and can carry small guided bombs.
The Sichuan has also carried out consecutive sea trials in late October, but no further plans for the ship or drone were announced.
China says its GJ-21 stealth drone completed its first takeoff and landing aboard the Sichuan amphibious assault ship.
State media reported the operations took place this month.
The test marks a step in China’s effort to operate fixed-wing stealth drones from large naval platforms.
The Sichuan is the first ship in China’s Type 076 amphibious assault ship class.
- Who
- China’s GJ-21 drone and the Sichuan, China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship.
- What
- The drone completed its first takeoff and landing aboard the ship.
- When
- This month, according to state media reports published on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- On the Sichuan; the location of the trial was not disclosed.
- Why
- Xinhua said the test demonstrated the navy’s ability to operate fixed-wing stealth drones from large naval platforms.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Sichuan was launched.
The GJ-21 appeared at a military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
China’s navy said the Sichuan sailed to the South China Sea for scientific testing and training missions.
CCTV said the Sichuan conducted consecutive sea trials.
State media reported that the GJ-21 had completed takeoff and landing operations aboard the Sichuan.
- Drone
- GJ-21, described as a stealth reconnaissance and strike drone
- Ship
- Sichuan, China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship
- Trial
- First takeoff and landing by the GJ-21 aboard the Sichuan
- Ship launch
- December 2024
- Displacement
- More than 40,000 metric tons at full load
3 sources
What people are saying
a breakthrough in China's amphibious assault ship programme
GJ-21 is also low cost and reusable.