China’s growing military power may make drone and cruise missile proliferation ‘inevitable’ in Asia-Pacific
- Hi-tech weapons becoming increasing important as a deterrent, says report by International Institute for Strategic Studies
- South China Sea claimants and other developing countries seeking ways to counter aggression from major powers
Countries in Asia-Pacific are looking at developing small and smart weapons like drones and cruise missiles to deter China, making their proliferation “inevitable”, a study has warned.
“Although the proliferation of advanced weapons is normally a cause for concern regarding escalation, modern cruise missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] may today serve as weapons that smaller states can use to deter aggression from larger states,” the paper from the International Institute for Strategic Studies said, naming China as one of the main causes of concern.
However, it also warned that the proliferation of these technologies increased the risk that they would fall into the hands of terrorists and extremists.
International agreements such as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) are designed to restrict the development of ballistic missiles in the region.
But the paper said developing countries, many of which are not signatories to the MTCR, could work together to develop these capabilities.