China is looking to replicate Ukraine’s underwater drone successes in a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific.
Countries often host military parades in an attempt to garner respect from within and without. Rows and rows of uniformed men marching in discipline and columns of armored vehicles offer a good show and can even serve to project force.
In some cases, a country will also use military parades to showcase to the world new weapon systems and cutting-edge technology. China is about to do just that in September.
The Chinese Navy Could Show Off Its New Underwater Drone
According to reports, the People’s Liberation Army Navy is going to showcase two new extra-large drone submarines (XLUUVs) during an upcoming military parade on September 3. The parade will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
During rehearsals for the parade, the Chinese Navy has been seen displaying two new extra-large drone submarines. Based on the leaked photographs, the new drone subs look to be as long as 65 feet and resemble a torpedo. In the rehearsals, the Chinese military paraded six underwater drones of two types, four with the AJX002 designation and two bigger designs. The Chinese drones are likely powered by jet propulsion.
A navy can use drone submarines for a variety of tasks during wartime and peacetime. Due to their small size, drone submarines are excellent for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. In addition, unmanned underwater subs can be used as suicide drones against enemy shipping and installations.
For example, in a potential near-peer conflict with China, the Chinese Navy could deploy large numbers of drone submarines against US Navy carrier strike groups in conjunction with missile and air attacks. The distracting element of such an approach can serve to overwhelm the carrier strike groups’ defenses and allow for incoming munitions to pass through the robust underwater and air defense umbrellas around US aircraft carriers.
Drone submarines are also extremely cheap compared to regular submarines or surface combatants. As with other drones, they are relatively disposable, as the loss of a drone does not come with the loss of any sailors.
The US Navy has also been investing time, money, and resources in unmanned underwater vehicles and underwater sensors. Beijing, however, seems determined to harness the promise and power of naval drones to achieve its regional and global military goals. Currently, the Chinese Navy has the largest extra-large underwater drone submarine program, with at least five types of vessels.
Underwater Drones Could Reshape Naval Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has shown that unmanned underwater vehicles can be devastating against surface combatants, logistics ships, naval installations, and even critical infrastructure. The Ukrainian Navy cannot compete with the Black Sea Fleet, the branch of Russia’s navy devoted to the war, in a head-to-head confrontation. Accordingly, Kyiv has resorted to creative and asymmetric means to strike against Russia’s fleet.
In underwater drones, the Ukrainian military and intelligence services have found a cost-effective and stealthy way to sink Russian vessels, strike ports, and damage the Kerch bridge that links the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula with Russia.
China is looking to replicate Ukraine’s underwater drone successes in a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Whether Beijing’s technology and tactics prove to be successful remains to be seen.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
_201591801334.JPG){kind=link}