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For the first time, U.S. Navy “Ghost Fleet” ships are in the Pacific near China.

The Navy reported that two unmanned drone ships arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, on Monday. The Ranger and Mariner are large vessels that are both over 190 feet long. They’re not currently carrying missiles but they have that capability.

The ghost fleet project is meant to increase the Navy’s surveillance abilities and lethality. Specifically, defense leaders are looking to use the ships to counter China’s superior naval numbers.

This makes the first planned port visit of drone ships in the Indo-Pacific region significant.

The deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet said integration of drones into the fleet gives “more options to make better decisions at all levels of leadership.”