New | After drones, China turns to unmanned vessels to boost its marine power

China is developing unmanned marine equivalents of drones to strengthen its power at sea.

Government funding of robotic vessel research has increased dramatically, mainly from the military, according to scientists involved in the work. At least 15 research teams have been set up at top universities and research institutes to produce the high-speed unmanned vessels over the past couple of years, scientists said.

Professor Ma Zhongli, robotic vessel expert at Harbin Engineering University, said the government had invested intensively in UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, over the past few decades. Only recently did the authorities realise the practical value and strategic importance of unmanned marine vessels.

Ma said the military was particularly interested in using the vessels for intelligence gathering and drawing enemies’ fire in sea battles. They will be able to carry various payloads from infrared cameras to missile launchers.

“The government’s biggest interest is in the application’s use in the military,’’ she said. 

“They can patrol on water tirelessly 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can see things in the distance that it’s impossible to see with human eyes.

They can be deployed immediately in enormous numbers to overwhelm the enemy. Most importantly, they can reduce casualties. The situation in some waters can become too sensitive or too dangerous to send men in. That’s when they need our boats the most.’’