China has demonstrated catapult-launch capability for its GJ-21 stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle, signalling a major shift toward carrier-based drone warfare. The adaptation allows precision strikes from sea without risking pilots, potentially altering Indo-Pacific naval dynamics. This comes alongside a separate Chinese breakthrough in ultra-cheap, long-life iron flow batteries that could transform energy storage. Recent imagery shows China’s GJ-21 stealth UCAV equipped with a catapult launch bar, confirming compatibility with carrier-assisted takeoff systems. This adaptation enables deployment from ships like the Type 076, extending strike reach into contested maritime zones without endangering pilots. Defence analysts see this as a rapid leap in China’s naval aviation capabilities, compressing development timelines for next-generation unmanned systems.

Full report : China’s new stealth drone, GJ-21 has a reported combat attack radius of up to 1,500 kilometres.