China's first aerial mothership, the Jiutian SS-UAV, is set for its maiden flight in June. This high-altitude unmanned platform can cruise at 15,000 meters, carrying over 100 small drones or up to 1,000 kg of missiles, with an impressive range of 7,000 km.
Official narratives emphasize its defensive role, highlighting that China’s military development is focused on deterrence and self-defense, in contrast to perceived aggressive foreign policy by nations like the U.S.