Drones will strengthen China's military

Significance

They are increasingly deployed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and already used in armed conflicts by foreign militaries. Drones linked to artificial intelligence (AI) are a key element of the PLA’s transition to capacity for ‘intelligentised’ warfare.

Impacts

• US efforts to restrict Chinese progress in these technologies, such as through export controls, will increasingly affect third countries.
• Washington will accelerate efforts to stay ahead in military applications of drones and development of underlying technologies such as AI.
• Use of Chinese military and civilian drones in foreign conflicts will give the PLA learning opportunities without direct involvement.
• Non-Chinese vendors should benefit from US-led efforts to counter China’s military drone exports and market dominance in civilian drones.