Can China's Most Lethal AI Military Drone Be a Threat To India?

China has reportedly developed a ChatGPT-like generative AI to enhance the electronic warfare capabilities of military drones. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), China’s Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute has developed a large language model (LLM) tailored for drones.

China’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are extending into its military strategy as the country explores integrating ChatGPT-like technologies into its defence systems. Leveraging large language models (LLMs), similar to those powering AI chatbots, could revolutionise battlefield decision-making, intelligence analysis and command efficiency.

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China's AI drone

The Chinese AI systems may assist with processing vast amounts of military data in real time, enabling faster responses to complex situations. Their potential applications include analysing enemy communications, drafting detailed operational plans and simulating various conflict scenarios. However, this raises critical questions about security, ethical deployment and how these innovations could reshape global power dynamics.

Currently, most of us use Artificial Intelligence tools in our day-to-day work. We use AI to create images, videos and summarise texts. Imagine a war machine integrated with AI that can analyse data and take action accordingly. It will remind you of Model 101 from the movie Terminator.

Now imagine a drone that can analyse the war zone, create fake targets for other countries, make rapid decisions in the war zone and destroy radar using electromagnetic rays.

China is famous for deploying new technologies and the country is enhancing its Artificial Intelligence capabilities for military weapons. According to a report by the Chinese media house South China Morning Post (SCMP), China’s Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute has developed large language model-based drones. This is the same institute that developed the twin-engine, all-weather stealth fighter J-20 for the People's Liberation Army Air Force of China.

This drone has generative AI capabilities that enhance the performance of military drones. These drones are based on LLMs and are as powerful as ChatGPT. They are equipped with electronic warfare weapons to destroy enemy radar or communication systems. The decision-making capability of this model is far faster than traditional AI or human intelligence, taking only 0.1 seconds to process a piece of information, according to test results.

This is the first public report stating that Large Language Models are being directly applied to weapons. Before this, military armies used Artificial Intelligence solely for analysis and decision-making to assist commanders.

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Why is the AI weapon so lethal?

The Large Language Model is highly adept at analysing and understanding human behaviour and language. According to the report, the makers have embedded all possible military records into the model, including air combat records, inventory setup records and electronic warfare operation manuals.

Additionally, it can destroy radar signals using electromagnetic waves and can alter signals to create real-time fake targets on surveillance data.

But the story doesn't stop here.

A millisecond-level response can make a significant difference in electronic warfare. So the developers have delegated raw data processing to a less complex learning model for faster response.

If the report is true and not a propaganda effort by China to threaten other countries, then it could be more lethal than Kamikaze drones.

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Indian Army’s Poorvi Prahar

China has always been a grey neighbour of India and Arunachal Pradesh shares most of its territory with the state. To ensure safety and acknowledge the role of advanced technologies, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have initiated a tri-service exercise from November 10 to November 18 in Arunachal Pradesh, named ‘Poorvi Prahar’.

Will this exercise be enough to help India tackle such emerging technologies from China?

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