By S. M. Hali
In May 2025, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) quietly crossed a technological threshold that could reshape the maritime balance in Asia. A Type 054A guided missile frigate, enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI), completed a degaussing exercise that reportedly improved stealth efficiency by 60%. This wasn’t just a technical upgrade—it was a strategic signal. As global powers recalibrate their naval doctrines, Pakistan must take heed. The AI-powered warship is not merely a vessel; it is a harbinger of a new era in maritime security—one that demands a bold, forward-looking response from Islamabad.
Technology Meets Strategy: China’s Maritime Leap
Degaussing, the process of reducing a ship’s magnetic signature to evade sea mines and detection systems, has long been a staple of naval stealth. What China achieved in this exercise was a leap from manual calibration to AI-driven optimization. The system autonomously analysed magnetic field data, selected algorithms, and adjusted parameters in real time. The result: faster turnaround, enhanced survivability, and a combat-ready fleet.
But the implications go beyond engineering. China’s centralized command structure allows rapid integration of emerging technologies, while its strategic doctrine—rooted in “active defence”—frames such developments as tools for peace and deterrence. The PLAN’s modernization is not about projecting force far from home; it’s about securing sovereignty, protecting trade routes, and signalling readiness to counter provocations.
This exercise also involved young recruits, averaging under 23 years old, trained in high-stakes, tech-intensive operations. It reflects China’s dual investment in hardware and human capital—accelerating its transition into a modern, AI-enabled fighting force.
The Indo-Pacific Chessboard: Contrasting Narratives
This development must be viewed in contrast to the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy, which emphasizes freedom of navigation, forward deployments, and alliance-building through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)—comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. The Quad’s maritime posture is increasingly assertive, with joint exercises, coordinated patrols, and strategic port calls aimed at countering China’s growing naval footprint.
While Washington’s approach leans on legacy partnerships and deterrence through presence, Beijing’s strategy is increasingly asymmetric—leveraging AI, automation, and indigenous innovation to offset numerical disadvantages. From China’s perspective, the Indo-Pacific framework resembles encirclement. The AI-powered frigate, therefore, is not just a tactical asset—it’s a rebuttal. It says: “We will not be outpaced, and we will not be provoked.”
For Pakistan, a close strategic partner of China, this shift offers both opportunity and challenge. It must navigate a maritime landscape where technological superiority is becoming as decisive as fleet size, and where strategic signalling carries as much weight as firepower.
India’s Likely Reaction: Strategic Anxiety and Technological Catch-Up
India, as a key member of the Quad and a regional naval power, is unlikely to view China’s AI-powered warship with indifference. The development will likely trigger strategic anxiety in New Delhi, prompting accelerated investment in its own naval AI programs, stealth technologies, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
India has already launched initiatives like the “Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti” to harness AI in defence, and its Navy has begun exploring autonomous underwater vehicles and predictive maintenance systems. However, bureaucratic inertia and procurement delays remain hurdles. China’s rapid deployment of AI in operational settings—especially in stealth-critical domains like degaussing—may push India to fast-track its modernization efforts, potentially with support from Quad partners.
Moreover, India may amplify its maritime diplomacy—deepening ties with Southeast Asian nations, expanding naval exercises like Malabar, and increasing its presence in chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca. For Pakistan, this means the Indian Ocean will become even more contested, technologically dense, and strategically volatile.
Pakistan’s Maritime Blind Spot
Despite its geostrategic location and deepening ties with China, Pakistan’s maritime strategy remains underdeveloped. The Pakistan Navy has made strides in modernization—acquiring Type 054A frigates, expanding its submarine fleet, and enhancing coastal surveillance—but it has yet to embrace AI as a core enabler of naval capability.
Moreover, maritime discourse in Pakistan is often overshadowed by land-centric security concerns. This imbalance risks strategic myopia. As the Indian Ocean becomes a theatre of technological competition, Pakistan must pivot from reactive defence to proactive innovation.
Strategic Recommendations for Pakistan:
Establish a Naval AI Task Force
Pakistan should create a dedicated task force within the Navy to explore AI applications in degaussing, predictive maintenance, threat detection, and autonomous navigation. Collaboration with Chinese defence tech firms could accelerate this effort.
Invest in Maritime R&D Ecosystems
Beyond procurement, Pakistan must build indigenous capacity. This includes partnerships between naval institutions, universities, and private tech startups focused on AI, robotics, and cybersecurity.
Leverage CPEC for Maritime Integration
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should expand its scope to include maritime AI infrastructure—such as smart ports, automated logistics, and AI-enhanced coastal defence systems.
Enhance Strategic Signalling
Pakistan’s naval diplomacy must evolve. Participating in joint AI-enabled exercises with China, showcasing tech-driven readiness, and articulating a doctrine of “peaceful deterrence” can reshape perceptions and bolster regional stability.
Protect Against AI Vulnerabilities
As AI systems proliferate, so do risks. Pakistan must invest in cybersecurity protocols, ethical frameworks, and fail-safe mechanisms to prevent misjudgements or system compromise.
