China’s Advanced Submarine Detection Technologies: A Game-Changer in the South China Sea

Rajesh Uppal August 5, 2024 Navy, Quantum Comments Off on China’s Advanced Submarine Detection Technologies: A Game-Changer in the South China Sea 1,610 Views

Introduction

In recent years, China has emerged as a maritime superpower, with a growing presence and influence in the South China Sea. This region is not only vital for global trade but also a geopolitical hotspot due to territorial disputes involving multiple nations.

China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, a region through which about £3.9 trillion in ship-borne trade passes annually, have long been a point of contention with neighboring nations like Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Additionally, disputes in the East China Sea have strained relations between Beijing and Tokyo for decades. As China flexes its military muscle in these waters, the United States is responding with its own show of force, further escalating tensions. In this article, we will delve into China’s advancements in submarine detection technologies and their implications for regional security.

To protect its interests and ensure maritime security, China has been investing heavily in advanced submarine detection technologies, which are playing a pivotal role in safeguarding its waters. In this article, we will explore the significance of these technologies and their implications for the South China Sea.

The South China Sea: A Geopolitical Flashpoint

The South China Sea is a crucial waterway through which over one-third of the world’s trade passes. Its rich fisheries and potential energy resources have made it a valuable region for many nations, leading to territorial disputes and increasing military presence. As the South China Sea holds immense economic and strategic significance, maintaining control and security in the area is paramount for China.

China’s territorial claims have sparked disputes, leading to stand-offs and increasing military presence in the region. As the stakes rise, both China and the United States are investing heavily in submarine detection technologies to safeguard their interests.

Massive underwater surveillance system

China is planning to construct a massive underwater surveillance system, often referred to as the “Underwater Great Wall,” in the disputed East and South China Seas. Estimated to cost around $290 million, the project is officially framed as providing long-term observation data and supporting research in these maritime environments. However, security analysts express concerns that this initiative could serve a dual purpose—monitoring both surface warships and submarines. This move is seen as an attempt to diminish the stealth advantage held by U.S. and Russian submarines, which could alter the balance of power in the South China Sea and raise geopolitical tensions.

The “Underwater Great Wall” initiative also draws parallels to the Cold War-era Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) used to counter Soviet submarines. While primarily focused on regional interests, this development has global implications, challenging established maritime norms and potentially provoking responses from other naval powers. As territorial disputes persist in the South China Sea, this underwater surveillance system adds complexity to an already contentious geopolitical landscape.

China’s Evolving Submarine Detection Capabilities

Terahertz Technology: China has made groundbreaking strides in terahertz technology, which is highly sensitive to environmental changes. Although limited in water penetration, it can detect minute surface vibrations caused by submarines moving underwater, bolstering China’s ability to locate and track them effectively. The Chinese researchers tested their terahertz submarine detector off the coast of Dalian in the Yellow Sea. They simulated submarine noise using an artificial sound source and used an extended arm of a research ship to mimic drone flight. The terahertz sensor was able to successfully detect man-made ripples with amplitudes ranging from 10 to 100 nanometres, even in challenging sea conditions.
Long-range acoustic detection systems: Extensive investments in underwater acoustic sensors have paid off. These sensors use sound waves to detect and track submarines, even in challenging sea conditions, enhancing China’s situational awareness. Long-range acoustic detection systems (LRADS) use hydrophones to detect sound waves emitted by submarines. LRADS can be deployed on ships or on the seabed. They can be used to track submarines over long distances and to provide early warning of submarine incursions into Chinese waters.
Underwater Drones: China’s development of sophisticated underwater drones, that can operate for months at a time has greatly improved surveillance capabilities, allowing for better monitoring of submarine activities. They are equipped with a variety of sensors, including hydrophones (which detect sound waves) and magnetometers (which detect magnetic fields). Underwater gliders can be used to map the seabed and to search for submarines in large areas of the ocean.
Satellite Surveillance: China’s space capabilities provide comprehensive coverage of the South China Sea, offering real-time monitoring of surface and underwater activities.

China has developed the world’s most powerful submarine detector

China has unveiled a cutting-edge submarine detection technology, described as the world’s most powerful, developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This technology, known as a “superconductive magnetic anomaly detection array,” has the potential to detect submarines from up to 6 kilometers away, with the possibility of even greater detection range when background noise is effectively suppressed. The system employs an array of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) rather than a single antenna, allowing for more comprehensive data collection and improved performance.

Traditional submarine detection methods, such as magnetic anomaly detectors (MADs), have been in use since World War II. MADs rely on identifying anomalies in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by large metallic objects, like submarines. However, these systems have limitations in detecting distant or less ferromagnetic submarines. The Chinese innovation aims to address these shortcomings, potentially revolutionizing submarine detection capabilities. While some experts remain cautious about the practical deployment of this technology, China’s rapid progress suggests they may soon overcome any remaining challenges, solidifying their position as a leader in undersea warfare technology. Additionally, this development emphasizes the importance of technological advancements in military applications and their potential impact on global defense strategies.

New Simplified design reduces need for six super-expensive sensors to just one, while amplifying the device’s precision ‘remarkably’

Chinese scientists claim to have developed an ultra-sensitive version of the world’s most sophisticated submarine detection technology, known as Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs), which could be utilized by packs of drones to locate and attack hidden vessels in the open sea. Traditionally, the exorbitant costs of SQUIDs have limited their use to a select few military powers and specialized anti-submarine aircraft. However, the simplified design proposed by the Chinese researchers promises to alter the strategic landscape, potentially giving China an advantage over advanced US submarines.

This breakthrough comes amidst growing concerns about US military presence in the South China Sea, with some think tanks advocating for the use of submarines to launch missiles against China’s coastal areas in the event of a conflict. Chinese military experts argue that by detecting and potentially neutralizing American submarines in open waters, the likelihood of US military intervention in China’s peripheral affairs could be greatly diminished.

The newly developed probes utilize superconducting coils to detect faint disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic fields caused by submarines navigating deep waters. While the technology was first developed by US scientists in 1964, it was ineffective at detecting submarines in motion until years of work by researchers in Germany achieved practical use. China has heavily invested in submarine detection technology, with significant breakthroughs reported several years ago.

The research team addressed the high costs and technical challenges associated with traditional SQUIDs by redesigning the internal structure of the device. Contrary to traditional wisdom, they demonstrated that multiple sensors are not essential for accurate submarine detection. Instead, they designed a probe that uses a single superconducting magnetic gradiometer with four coils, achieving remarkable precision at a fraction of the cost of previous models.

Field tests have shown that the simplified design remains stable in open and complex environments, capable of detecting extremely weak magnetic anomaly signals. While specific applications for the research have not been disclosed, Zhang Yingzi’s team is closely linked to the military, suggesting potential integration into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and underwater vehicles. This breakthrough could have significant implications for submarine warfare, potentially shifting the balance of power in maritime conflicts.

Advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based system designed to improve submarine detection in uncharted waters.

The research, spearheaded by Dr. Niu Haiqiang from the Institute of Acoustics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, builds upon previous deep-learning algorithms, aiming to significantly enhance detection speed and precision. Notably, this upgraded system possesses the remarkable capability of operating effectively in a wide range of maritime environments, including both charted and uncharted waters.

The technology’s development process involved the creation of a sophisticated simulator that generated diverse virtual underwater scenarios. This simulator allowed the AI algorithm to learn and adapt by analyzing real-world data sourced from various global oceans and seas. As a result of these efforts, the AI system can now assist a single hydrophone in locating more than 80% of underwater targets within uncharted areas. Impressively, it achieves this with an incredibly small margin of error, measuring under 10 meters (approximately 33 feet). This remarkable system can be deployed with simplicity, utilizing basic listening devices mounted on buoys, underwater drones, or ships. It has the potential to detect a broad spectrum of sound-emitting sources, including nuclear submarines, marine creatures like whales, or emergency beacons from downed aircraft. This collaborative work showcases a significant leap forward in passive underwater surveillance technology, underscoring the importance of AI in enhancing maritime security and detection capabilities.

Implications for Regional Security

China’s submarine detection technologies have several significant implications:

Enhanced Maritime Security: These technologies strengthen China’s ability to detect and respond to potential threats in its waters, thereby enhancing its maritime security.
Territorial Disputes: China’s advanced capabilities could affect ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, potentially giving it an advantage in asserting its territorial claims.
Deterrence: Improved detection capabilities serve as a deterrent against potential adversaries, discouraging unauthorized submarine incursions.
Commercial Applications: Beyond military use, these technologies have commercial applications, such as inspecting underwater structures and detecting oil and gas pipelines, benefiting China’s economic interests.
Global Concerns: China’s advancements in submarine detection technologies have raised concerns among neighboring countries and global powers. These developments are seen as potentially altering the balance of power in the South China Sea.

Conclusion

China’s relentless pursuit of advanced submarine detection technologies underscores its commitment to securing its interests in the contested waters of the South China Sea. These technologies not only bolster its maritime defenses but also have broader implications for regional dynamics and global geopolitics. As tensions persist and both China and the United States continue to expand their capabilities, close monitoring of developments in the region becomes crucial to ensuring stability and peace in this strategically vital area. China’s advancements in this field are set to reshape the dynamics of maritime security, demanding attention from the international community.