During AAD 2018, the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition held this week in South Africa, Chinese company China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC) unveiled a new medium-size unmanned surface vessel called 'JARI'. CSOC is the export arm of Chinese shipbuilding group China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC).

The new unmanned surface combat unveiled by CSOC during AAD 2018. It is official name and designation is: "JARI-USV MULTIPURPOSE UNMANNED COMBAT BOAT (COMBAT TYPE)".



Talking to Navy Recognition at the show, a CSOC representative explained that JARI is multipurpose USV for combat designed for both the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) and export customers. An order has yet to be placed however. CSIC has already produced a prototype which has started sea trials earlier this year.

The main characteristics of the JARI USV (as provided by CSOC) are a length of 15 meters, a breadth of 4.80 meters and a depth of 1.80 meters for a displacement of about 20 tons. The USV maximum speed is 42 knots and its range is 500 nautical miles. In comparison, DARPA's Sea Hunter (a tirmaran USV for ASW) has a length of 40 meters and displacement of about 140 tons.

The new unmanned surface combat unveiled by CSOC during AAD 2018. It is official name and designation is: "JARI-USV MULTIPURPOSE UNMANNED COMBAT BOAT (COMBAT TYPE)".

Based on the scale model on display at the show, JARI sensor suite includes an Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) with four fixed pannels, an electro-optic system, navigation radar and satellite link antenna. We were told that JARI can be control from land or at sea from a "mother ship".

The weapons suite includes a 30mm remote weapon station (as main gun) fitted with an optional pod for "guided and unguided rockets" (according to CSOC). 2x4 vertical launch systems (placed behind the main gun) can deploy surface to air missiles. Final two optional single torpedo launchers (for lightweight torpedoes such as the ET52C) are placed on each side of the superstructure. For anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission, the JARI can be fitted with a sonar.

The USV is propelled by a single water-jet.