A civilian cargo ship, the Zhong Da 79, has been modified by China’s navy into a mobile missile platform. This transformation involves integrating 60 vertical missile launch cells into standard maritime containers, which are then placed on the ship’s deck. The vessel is around 97 meters long, displaces about 9,000 tonnes, and can reach a top speed of 20 knots—roughly the speed of a typical container ship. The ship is equipped with advanced systems, including air surveillance radar, a Type 344 fire control radar, and two close-in weapon systems designed for short-range defense. It also carries decoy launchers, lifeboats, and containers labeled with a slogan promoting China’s maritime renaissance. The containers on the ship are marked as "containerized weapon module development kits," indicating they are part of a project to test and develop modular military systems. While the exact types of missiles that can be launched from the cells have not been officially confirmed, analysts believe they may include the CJ-10 land-attack cruise missile, the YJ-18 anti-ship and land-attack missile, and the YJ-21 anti-ship ballistic missile. This concept is based on the "arsenal ship" idea, first proposed by the United States in the 1980s, which involves using civilian ships as mobile platforms for launching missiles. A key advantage of this system is the use of ISO-standard containers, which are widely used in global shipping. This allows for flexibility, as virtually any container ship could be converted into a missile platform with relatively minor modifications. China’s vast commercial fleet—nearly 8,000 container ships under Chinese or Hong Kong flags—could theoretically be used to build a low-cost auxiliary fleet. However, this approach has raised concerns among Western navies, which find it increasingly difficult to distinguish between regular cargo ships and potential military assets. The Zhong Da 79 is seen as part of a larger strategy that could be relevant in scenarios involving Taiwan. If deployed in large numbers, such converted ships could overwhelm enemy defenses with massive missile strikes. However, the vessel lacks the speed, armor, and watertight compartments of traditional warships, making it vulnerable if not protected by escort vessels. Additionally, some of the missile containers have been replaced with electromagnetic catapults capable of launching drones, suggesting that the ship may continue to evolve in both its military and technological capabilities.