Introduction
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is an emerging technology in modern warfare. Major countries like the US, China, Russia, France, India have integrated this technology into modern warfare doctrines. The armed forces are integrating UAVs into their strategy for tactical operations like surveillance, reconnaissance, medium strike, logistic management, S&R (Search and Rescue) etc. It is a dual-use technology. Armed forces can use it for actual ground warfare or it can also be a part of the role of the services. China is using UAVs (drones tech) in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) for multiple uses and has significantly enhanced operational capabilities.
China and UAVs
The origin of drone technology in China can be traced back to the 1950s. China imported drones from the erstwhile USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). It was an LA-17 drone; which was a basic radio-controlled target drone. (Kania, 2018) Later on, China started developing their UAVs technology for multiple uses. Meanwhile, China developed their UAVs development capabilities by the partnership with the USA, Israel, Russia and other technologically advanced countries. Simultaneously, China effectively promoted the research and development in AI (Artificial intelligence) and also promoted private companies for R&D along with state-owned agencies. 'Zhao Xu' is known as the father of China's UAVs programme.
As far as UAV platforms are concerned, private companies are playing a vital role. Currently, China has hundreds of types of UAV/drone platforms available in the country. Some of them are integrated with PLAA (People's Liberation Army Army), PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy), PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air-force) and in PLARF (People's Liberation Army Rocket Force) The UAVs enhances the defensive, logistical, surveillance and strike capabilities of the forces.
Capabilities
In December 2017, China set a world record with an 1180 quadcopter swarm flying dazzling formations at the Fortune Global Forum Meeting in Guangzhou. (Morgan, 2020)
'Ziyan UAV', a Chinese company has developed UAV helicopters and these are also integrated with PLA. 'Blowfish A2' and 'Ranger P2-X' are these two unmanned helicopters. It has the ability to vertical take-off and landing. The Blowfish A2 has a speed of 130 Mph, its maximum take-off weight is 38kg and capable of a 12kg payload. It can carry radar, jamming devices, munitions such as mortar bombs and guns to carry out strikes or supply to the forward-deployed posts. (Eurasian times, 2020)
Ranger P2-X is a long-endurance reconnaissance UAV developed by Zhuhai based Ziyan UAV company. It can be operationalised for land and maritime-based defence reconnaissance. The company claimed that it has great manoeuvrability, modular design, strong wind resistance, two-minute fast disassembly and easy deployment. It can carry long-endurance reconnaissance in a quiet state and small areas and mountain areas. (Hu Yuwei and Zhang Yutong, 2020) China also has a WZ-06 UAV helicopter into their forces.
Apart from that China has CH-1, CH-2, CH-3, CH-4, CH-5, CH-7, CH-10, CH-91, CH-92, CH-802,803, 901, GH-1(Wing long I), GH-2 (Wing long-II), FH-98(world's largest transport UAV), ASN-207. And several other UAVs have been integrated into PLA.
GH-1 and GH-2 are MALE (Medium altitude long endurance) category drones that have both strike and domestic services capabilities. GH-1 and GH-2 are also known as Wing Loong 1 and 2 respectively. The CH-4 Drone is considered as an advance in the globe. China exported CH-4 to Pakistan and also established a manufacturing unit in Saudi Arabia. CH-5 is advance than CH-4. It has also a naval variant. (Deng Xiaoci and Liu Xuanzun, 2020)
PLAN using various kind of UAVs such as BZK-005 (naval variant) UAV. It has a range of 2400 km and 40 hours of endurance. WZ-009 is a HALE (High altitude long endurance) category UAV with the range of 7900 km and 10 hours endurance rate. ASN- 209 is a MAME (Medium altitude medium endurance) UAV used by PLAN. (Kania E). Likewise, various types of UAVs are used by PLAAF. Like, BZK-005, WZ-09, CH-802 for reconnaissance. PLA has deployed several types of UAVs into their land, air and sea forces. China has tried to multiply their capabilities of gathering information by S&R operations with UAV platforms.
Export of UAVs
China has exported type Wing Loong II drones, developed by state-owned AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) to the Nigerian government. (Xuanzun, 2020) The Nigerian government is fighting a long battle against Boko Haram, a radical Islamic organisation based in Nigerian, Chad and Cameroon. The United Arab Emirates has used AVIC drones in Libya's civil war, Egypt has attacked rebels in Sinai with them, and Saudi-led troops have deployed them in Yemen. (Einhorn, 2021) The company's drones "are now battle-tested," says Heather Penney, a fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, a think tank in Arlington, Va. "They've been able to feed lessons learned back into their manufacturing," (Einhorn, 2021) China has also exported Ch-4 Drone to Pakistan.
Conclusion
China's UAV platform development programme has been successful over the years of great efforts by public and private sector companies. It has promoted the more advanced development into platforms and started the integration of technology into armed forces. During the initial stage, China imported a massive number of UAVs from Israel, Russia, and the US. E.g., China imported 100s Harpy drones (Anti-radiation drones) from Israel in 1994. They also took technical support from developed countries in the R&D of the science-technology sector. And meanwhile, by copying, reverse engineering, and with their research, they have developed a series of advanced drones and integrated them into services. E.g., ASN-301 is a copy of Harpy drones of Israel. (Kania, 2018) China could also develop a naval and air squadron of UAVs into their forces. The attack on the enemy's radar, artillery and on the bunkers by the drones could be proven as the deadliest to the adversary country of China. It can also be used to attack aircraft carriers and destroyers in the sea. China has started using drones on the artificial islands of the South China Sea. It has also started development in 'loiter munitions' which is also a part of unmanned platforms. The UAV platforms can be countered by a good air defence system, man-portable VSHORADS (Very short-range air defence system) and by directed energy weapons. The role of unmanned platforms has increased drastically in modern-day warfare. Thus, it is likely to increase more advanced development in UAVs and drones and its integration into the military across the Indo-Pacific region. On the other hand, countries across the world are likely to enhance their defence capabilities against UAV platforms.
References
1. ANI (May 17, 2017) China’s deadly suicide drone army is in the works, Asian News International, Retrieved from-https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/chinas-deadly-suicide-drone-army-is-in-the-works20210517151605/.
2. Deng Xiaoci and Liu Xuanzun, (July 16,2020), Maritime version of China’s CH-5 drone makes first test flight, Global times, Retrieved from- https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1194771.shtml.
3. Einhorn, B (March 18, 2021) Combat drones made in China are coming to a conflict near you, Bloomberg Businessweek, Retrieved from- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-17/china-s-combat-drones-push-could-spark-a-global-arms-race.
4. Eurasian times desk (Nov 21, 2020) Chinese PLA Soldiers Intensify Drone Drills, Orders More UAVs To Keep Eye On Indian Troops, The EuraAsian times, Retrieved from- https://eurasiantimes.com/chinese-pla-soldiers-intensify-drone-drills-orders-more-uavs-to-keep-eye-on-indian-troops-watch/.
5. Hu Yuwei and Zhang Yutong (Nov 19, 2020)Unmanned helicopters fit for high-altitude combat aid China's Tibetan military command at the border with India, Global times, Retrieved from-https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1207317.shtml
6. Intelligent Aerospace (March 19, 2021) Combat drones in China are coming to a conflict near you, Intelligent Aerospace, Retrieved from- https://www.intelligent-aerospace.com/unmanned/article/14199662/china-military-drones-uav-unmanned.
7. Kania, E (August 08, 2018) The PLA’s Unmanned Aerial systems: new capabilities for a ‘New Era’ of Chinese military power, China Aerospace studies institute, Montgomery, US,Air University.
8. Morgan, F (March, 2020) Military applications of Artificial Intelligence, Santa Monica, US, Rand corporation.
9. Xuanzun, L (May 09, 2019) Chinese helicopter drones capable of intelligent swarm attacks, Global times, Retrieved from- https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1149168.shtml.
10. Xuanzun, L (Nov 11, 2020) Nigeria receives China made armed reconnaissance drones, Global times, Retrieved from- https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1206522.shtml.
