Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
The term AI was discussed first by a group of scientist in Darmouth in a meeting between IBM and MIT in 1956. There are several functions of AI; it’s also designed for general purpose such as electricity; internet etc. but it can work more than one area. Some states using it as dual, both in the field of military as well as in the civil field. Moreover, it is the part of fourth industrial revolution. Russian president Putin stated about AI that “AI is the future not only for Russia, but for all mankind. Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will be ruler of the world”. Moreover, US development in the field of AI has increase when the new administration came to the office. During the Biden administration, America invested $6 Billion in the research field related to AI. While China is not behind from the US, they lead in many areas in AI technology. Following are some of the important development of China in the field of AI technology.
According to the US National security commission on AI reported that “in term of AI, China is a competitor, if not a leader”. The report also mentioned we (the US) should win the AI competition that is intensifying strategic competition with China”. Moreover, the report also argued that the China dream is to surpass the US in the field of AI leadership. In 2015, the Chinese government issued document “made in China 2025”, but again in 2017 the Xi Jinping government released a new plan “new generation AI development plan”. From these documents and policies, one can get an idea of the pertinence of AI for China. China has been adapting the use of Artificial Intelligence in private companies, research facilities for fast development. They also used it for everyday life; payment through facial recognition, health checks through artificial intelligence, diagnosing diseases, and home security cameras.
In the area related to defense, the “AI research center” and “unmanned research center” have been founded by the China ministry of national defense. When it comes to the choice of the specific AI technology, China’s top strategic priorities include the software for unmanned combat system and equipment as well as other sophisticated innovations in the military context. The advanced model Tech unmanned aerial vehicles will transform the warfare and will be the choice of any nation for future fight. For instance, for China, the UAV is significant not forgetting the president XI Jinping. However, to further elaborate its drift toward wars through his advancement of drones, Xi has said, ‘Drones are revolutionizing the character of war’. Unmanned aerial vehicle will minimize causalities, provide greater accuracy with targets, and offer shattering characteristics. Meanwhile China started working on UAVs in 1950s and 1960s. In 1959, China developed two types of UAVs, one was An-2 and the other was IL-28. In 1960s, China developed Changkong-1 and DR-5 high altitude photo taking, D-4 mall remote control UAVs.
Currently, the PLA have four types of large and medium UAVs. First, EA-03, most advance, high altitude and used for high strategic surveillance, the flight range is 7000KM, for surveillance this can fly for 10 hours. Second, Attack-1, these UAVs was unveiled in 2014 and its range is 4000KM, it can travel with 370KM per hour, and its surveillance for 20 hours. Third, JWP02 UAVs, this can fly for 8 hours mission, its range is 150KM with 222kg weight can carry. Fourth, BZK-005 UAVs, its endurance is 40 hours, and its takeoff weight is 1.5 tons. UAVs have three main important roles; the first one is reconnaissance and surveillance, to find out location and can trace the enemy. The second one is electro jumping, it can fly over the enemy and emitting electromagnetic waves which interfere the enemy radar and fire control radar to secure and protect from ground attacks. The thirds one is, fire power destruction, through it, can destroy the opponent defense radar system and other defense equipment’s which can damage the enemy.
China is now more confident in its ability to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions to safeguard claimed territory thanks to the acquisition of UAV technologies. China launched its first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Diaoyu Dao/Senkaku Island in the early 2010s contentious territory. Future conflict and deterrence may be significantly impacted by the powerful AI technology used in the military. Meanwhile, the United States is growing more concerned about China’s quick development of AI technology and its use in the military. China’s AI has proven successful in the commercial sphere, but there isn’t any concrete proof that the country’s military intends to Use AI in any systems that are deadly. Allen notes that China faces challenges with regard to top personnel, technical standards, software frameworks, and platforms. For instance, the situation with limitations on China still has a ways to go before it achieves complete independence in important industries like semiconductors, as ZTE and Huawei make abundantly evident. China is largely dependent on imports of essential components. As the CGTN, China was the first nation to submit the documents to the UN Convention on certain conventional weapons regulations, on the applications of AI Tech in the field of military operation back in 2021. To specify, it means that the norms and ethics should regulate affectively to control the nuclear arms race.
Therefore, for the future development in the field of AI, China specifies the key important areas. Firstly, extended endurance and high altitude flying capability will be a main area of investment in UAVs. Second, to have a more optimized and efficient network, intelligent control will be developed. Third, another significant technology space that will be relevant to the growth of UAVs will be stealth. As modern Meters continue to advance, future military UAVs will incorporate better superior composite materials, radar absorbing materials, low noise engines and other components which will improve the stealth capabilities of the UAV vehicles thus making surprise attacks more probable in future UAV combat operations. However, in the meantime it is possible to increase the radar reflecting surface little and decrease the gap between the radar reflecting surface and the surface of fuselage. Fourthly, UAVs would be built to meet multicultural military roles.
