Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - For years, the Celestial Empire, China, has\nbeen known as one of the central hubs in the mass development of global\ntechnological innovation. However, a recent report concerning China\u2019s\nlatest cutting-edge innovations has triggered high-level geopolitical\nconcerns. This innovation is said to have the potential to cripple\nglobal communications networks in the blink of an eye.<\/p>\n
China is reported to have developed a high-capability new device that\ncan be categorised as a strategic \u2018weapon\u2019 for disabling\ncross\u2011continental communications networks. The device is a\nsuper\u2011sophisticated submarine cable cutting system designed by the China\nShip Scientific Research Center (CSSRC).<\/p>\n
The device is specifically able to target and sever submarine cables\nthat underpin about 95% of global data traffic. Note that global\nsubmarine cable infrastructure is designed using materials with extreme\ndurability, such as a combination of steel layers, protective rubber,\nand thick polymers. Nevertheless, the new cutting instrument from China\nis claimed to be able to cleave that thick armour with ease.<\/p>\n
Able to operate at extreme depths<\/p>\n
Technically, the Chinese cutting device can operate with precision at\ndepths of up to 4,000 metres below the sea surface. This capability is\nroughly twice the average depth of existing global submarine\ncommunications infrastructure. The cutting instrument is designed to\nintegrate fully with China\u2019s crewed and unmanned submarine fleets,\nincluding the venerable Fendouzhe (Striver) and the Haidou series.<\/p>\n
Initially, the blueprint for developing this advanced technology was\nintended to support civilian rescue missions at sea and the commercial\noffshore mining interests. However, the dual-use potential of this\ntechnology as a tool for military sabotage to cut the lifelines of\nsubmarine telecommunications has triggered international concerns among\nWestern countries and their allies.<\/p>\n
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, a scenario\nof cutting cables near global chokepoints\u2014such as in the waters around\nGuam\u2014could directly sever international communications and trigger a\nmassive geopolitical crisis. The Guam region itself plays a crucial role\nin the United States\u2019 strategic defence architecture in the island\nchain.<\/p>\n
Diamond-coated to pierce the steel armour<\/p>\n
A team of engineers led by Hu Haolong has overcome the highly complex\ntechnical challenges associated with the extreme conditions on the ocean\nfloor. At a depth of 4,000 metres, where hydrostatic pressure exceeds\nthe extreme range of 400 atmospheres, the team addressed this by using a\nshell based on a special titanium alloy and an oil\u2011compression sealing\nsystem to prevent implosion or catastrophic failure due to pressure,\neven in long-term use scenarios.<\/p>\n
Given that conventional blades would be unlikely to cut through the\nthick steel-armoured cable, Hu Haolong and his team integrated a\ndiamond-coated grinding wheel of 150 mm (6 inches). The wheel rotates at\nextremely high speeds of up to 1,600 RPM, generating wear capable of\neroding the steel while minimising drag from seabed sediment.<\/p>\n
The device is efficiently designed to accommodate the limited power\nsupply on submarines, relying on a one\u2011kilowatt motor with an 8:1\ngear\u2011ratio damping system. Under the sea, with near-zero visibility, the\ncutter is controlled using an advanced robotic arm system and supported\nby ultra-precise positioning technology to ensure cutting accuracy.<\/p>\n
Beijing Signals Strong Maritime Power<\/p>\n
The deployment of this cutting-edge technology marks a new milestone\nin Beijing\u2019s strategic expansion over control of the world\u2019s submarine\ninfrastructure. China is currently recorded as operating the world\u2019s\nlargest fleet of crewed and unmanned submarines (UUVs), capable of\nreaching every corner of the oceans.<\/p>\n
The main advantage of the new cable-cutting device lies in its\noperational flexibility, which can be controlled from a clandestine\noperation on an unmanned platform. This capability enables China to\nexploit strategic data traffic choke points without being detected on\nthe surface.<\/p>\n
This new capability has sparked heated debate and deep concerns\nwithin the international military research community. Moreover, the\nworld was recently jolted by the destruction of Russia\u2019s underwater\nnatural gas pipeline network amid escalating geopolitical tensions.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Chinese scientists say that the device\u2014reported to have\nsuccessfully cut a 60 mm thick sample cable during a land-based trial\u2014\nis oriented to support the expansion programme \u201cdevelopment of sea\nresources.\u201d This narrative aligns with the global trend of advanced\neconomies increasingly shifting their economic focus toward exploiting\ndeep-sea resources.<\/p>\n
The scientists add that, regardless of debates about its military\nfunction, this leap in innovation will substantially boost China\u2019s\nmaritime exploration capabilities, accelerate growth of the blue\neconomy, and strengthen Beijing\u2019s political bargaining power as a\ndominant maritime power on the global stage to support the country\u2019s\nlong-term strategic objectives.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/chinas-mischief-threatens-global-paralysis-in-mere-seconds-1779545800", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }