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Throughout its standoff with India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese officials sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, emphasising Beijing’s intent to preserve border stability and prevent the standoff from harming other areas of its bilateral relationship with India, the Pentagon said in a report on 29 November.

“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the United States. PRC officials have warned U.S. officials to not interfere with the PRC’s relationship with India,” the Pentagon said in its latest report to the Congress on Chinese military buildup.

In a section on the China-India border, the Pentagon said throughout 2021, the PLA sustained the deployment of forces and continued infrastructure build up along the LAC. Negotiation made minimal progress as both sides resist losing perceived advantages on the border, it said.

Beginning in May 2020, Chinese and Indian forces faced off in clashes with rocks, batons, and clubs wrapped in barbed wire at multiple locations along the LAC. The resulting standoff triggered the buildup of forces on both sides of the border. “Each country demanded the withdrawal of the other’s forces and a return to pre-standoff conditions, but neither China nor India agreed on those conditions,” it said.

 “The PRC blamed the standoff on Indian infrastructure construction, which it perceived as encroaching on PRC territory, while India accused China of launching aggressive incursions into India’s territory,” it added.

Since the 2020 clash, the PLA has maintained continuous force presence and continued infrastructure build up along the LAC.

The 2020 Galwan Valley incident was the deadliest clash between the two nations in the past 46 years, the report said. On the June 15th, 2020, patrols violently clashed in Galwan Valley resulting in the death approximately twenty Indian soldiers and four PLA soldiers, according to PRC officials, it said.

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Enhancing human resources has taken many new forms. All human sensors are being exploited to their maximum capabilities and then solutions are being found to augment them with technology.

Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology Programme

The US Pentagon is trying build tech that would give soldiers the ability to control deadly military drones with their minds. Working with drones and swarms of drones, operating at the speed of thought rather than through mechanical devices – those types of things are what these devices are really for,’ according to DARPA.

The Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology (N3) programme aims to develop high-performance, bi-directional brain-machine interfaces for able-bodied service members. Such interfaces would be enabling technology for diverse national security applications such as control of unmanned aerial vehicles and active cyber defense systems or teaming with computer systems to successfully multitask during complex military missions.

Whereas the most effective, state-of-the-art neural interfaces require surgery to implant electrodes into the brain, N3 technology would not require surgery and would be man-portable, thus making the technology accessible to a far wider population of potential users. Noninvasive neurotechnologies such as the electro-encephalogram and transcranial direct current stimulation already exist, but do not offer the precision, signal resolution, and portability required for advanced applications by people working in real-world settings.

To enable future non-invasive brain-machine interfaces, N3 researchers are working to develop solutions that address challenges such as the physics of scattering and weakening of signals as they pass through skin, skull, and brain tissue, as well as designing algorithms for decoding and encoding neural signals that are represented by other modalities such as light, acoustic, or electro-magnetic energy.

Integrated Visual Augmentation System

No other piece of equipment has had this kind of impact since the introduction of night vision. The US military is developing augmented reality night vision goggles.

A Microsoft-designed prototype goggle – the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), that offers the capabilities they need to regain and maintain overmatch in multi-domain operations on battlefields that are increasingly urban, congested, dark and unpredictable – has been tested in November 2019.

The IVAS prototype, based on Microsoft’s heads up display, was designed using Microsoft’s HoloLens 2. That first STP was geared toward proving concept and utility.

The final product will include a variety of features: a color see-through digital display that makes it possible for the user to access information without taking his eye off the battlefield; thermal and low-light sensors that make it possible to see in the dark, literally; rapid target acquisition and aided target identification; augmented reality and artificial intelligence, to name just a few. IVAS is billed as a fight-rehearse-train system, meaning its function on the battlefield is priority, but its augmented reality capabilities, like real-time mapping, will make it useful for training and rehearsing operations anywhere at any time.

Xstat – Rapid Hemostasis System

The Rapid Hemostasis System or Xstat is a revolutionary technique to stop excessive blood loss due to injuries on the battlefield. Generally, a simple tourniquet is used in these circumstances, which are successful most of the times. But a US based medical firm has come up with an efficient way to stop blood loss completely.

The technique includes an injector syringe and tablets lookalike sponges that inflate when comes in contact with the wound. These sponges are actively covered by hemostatic (blood stopping) agent. Evidently, the wound can be completely filled with inflated sponges in less than fifteen seconds, allowing hemostasis to kick in and completely stopping the blood loss.

Electronic Drug Prescriptions

What if instead of pills or injections doctors could prescribe electronics? DARPA’s Electrical Prescriptions (ElectRx) program is a blanket program for a diverse range of research being conducted in using electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerves to treat conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, and PTSD. The idea itself isn’t entirely new – pacemakers have been around for a while and neurostimulators are already providing treatment for neurological conditions like Parkinson’s. Another team is examining the potential of nerve stimulation to treat PTSD. The researchers believe that nerve stimulation could be used to regulate neurochemical responses and reduce fear and anxiety in PTSD patients.

Augmented Reality

Contact Lenses

DARPA is reportedly interested in a smart contact lens that could give soldiers superpowers by augmenting troops’ visual capabilities in the field, meaning the gadget could represent the augmented contact lens that DARPA has spent a decade searching for.

Placing that information on a screen that’s always in front of you – like a contact lens directly in front of your eyeball – means that you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to look something up. And the minute you’ve got what you need, that information disappears.

Instant Language Translation

Imagine a handheld device that can translate any language in real time, like having a translator at your disposal at all times. DARPA’s Broad Operational Language Translation (BOLT) program is aiming to do just that. The technology can be deployed on an Android device. An English-speaker can say a phrase and the device can repeat it back in another language, and vice versa. The system currently only works with Iraqi Arabic, but DARPA says it can easily be expanded to others in the future.

Next-Level Prosthetics

DARPA invested a $7 million in the DEKA Arm, created by Segway inventor Dean Kamen, also known as the Luke Arm (after Luke Skywalker) the prosthetic is dexterous enough to handle objects as delicate as a grape. Amputees will finally get prosthetics that are as advanced as the ones we see in science fiction. DARPA’s Revolutionizing Prosthetics program has been working on the problem since 2006 and has announced some promising developments over the years.

Meanwhile, researchers at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Lab have developed a bionic hand can actually provide its wearer with a sense of touch via electrodes that connect to the patient’s sensory and motor cortexes. The neural connection also allows patients to control the arm using only their thoughts. The ultimate goal is to someday provide injured soldiers with prostheses advanced enough to allow them to return to the battlefield, if desired.

Other Projects

Artificial Muscles. Made from plastic Future Army robots will be the strongest in the world, if visionary researchers have their way. Robots could be armed with artificial muscles made from plastic. Army and academic researchers collaborated to study how plastic fibers respond when they are twisted and coiled into a spring. Different stimuli causes the spring to contract and expand, mimicking natural muscles. Artificial muscles could potentially augment robot performance, allowing our future mechanical partners to buff up, and pump.

Monitoring Soldier Health. With biorecogni-tion receptors Army and academic researchers are looking at how to monitor Soldier health and performance in real-time, by developing unique receptors. Future bioreceptors will be small, simple to produce, inexpensive, and robust to environmental stresses.

Human Interest Detector. US Army researchers have developed a human interest detector that can determine where people are looking and decode their brain activity. By monitoring brainwaves, researchers track neural responses and assess what captures a Soldier’s attention among a myriad of stimuli in threat environments.

Soldier-robot Teams. Army researchers have been developing new algorithms and capabilities that are unseen in industry – enabling autonomous agents such as robots to operate in these unknown environments such as future battlefields.

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“I’d like to speak to you today about the number one priority of the United States Department of Defense: implementing the National Defense Strategy.

“The NDS states that we are now in an era of Great Power Competition, with our principal challengers being China, then Russia, and that we must move away from low intensity conflict and prepare once again for high-intensity warfare. 

“At the same time, it recognizes that our second tier priorities are rogue states such as North Korea and Iran. 

“And finally, dealing with Violent Extremist Organizations will likely be an enduring threat for years to come.

“Being in Europe, I know that there has been much discussion about the challenges from Russia, so this morning I want to focus on the Pentagon’s top concern: the People’s Republic of China. 

“Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of a decision that fundamentally altered the course of international affairs: China’s admission into the World Trade Organization.

“I was working in the United States Senate at the time, and two competing arguments over China’s membership dominated the public debate.

“The prevailing notion of the day was that, if we allowed the PRC into the WTO and other multilateral institutions, China would continue on its path of economic reform and eventually become a market-oriented trading partner.

“More broadly, increased engagement with the liberal world order would also spur political opening and help transform the PRC into a responsible global stakeholder.

“The more skeptical voices argued that, if granted membership, China would use the benefits of free trade and an open international order to grow its economy and access the technology required to build a strong military and security state capable of expanding the reach of their authoritarian rule.

“These were both credible arguments, but we all know which one is winning right now.

“It’s not the former.

“In fact, under President Xi’s rule, the Chinese Communist Party is heading even faster and further in the wrong direction – more internal repression, more predatory economic practices, more heavy-handedness, and most concerning for me, a more aggressive military posture.

“It is essential that we – as an international community – wake up to the challenges presented by China’s manipulation of the long-standing international, rules-based order that has benefited all of us for many decades.

“The Communist Party and its associated organs, including the People’s Liberation Army, are increasingly operating in theaters outside its borders, including Europe, and seeking advantage by any means, and at any cost. 

“Let me state up front, though, the United States does not seek conflict with China.

“In fact, we look for areas of cooperation when our interests converge in the hope that they will choose the other path they didn’t take twenty years ago.

“Just look at the nearly 18 tons of medical supplies the United States recently provided to the PRC to help fight the coronavirus.

“And last week, we announced more than $100 million in assistance to China and other countries affected by that virus.

“The world is too interconnected for us not to work together to solve some of our toughest problems.

“However, to be a responsible member of the international community, China must be transparent and respect the sovereignty, freedom, and rights of all nations.

“Unfortunately, their current behavior leaves great cause for concern. 

“The United States’ National Defense Strategy recognizes this critical challenge as we adapt and prepare our force to deal with China in this new era of great power competition.

“The PRC’s growing economic, military, and diplomatic power often manifests itself in ways that are threatening, coercive, and counter to the rules-based international order.

“Over time, we have watched them seize and militarize islands in the South China Sea, and rapidly modernize their armed forces, while seeking to use emerging technologies to alter the landscape of power and reshape the world in their favor ….and often at the expense of others.

“I continue to stress to my friends in Europe – and just this past week again at the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels – that America’s concerns about Beijing’s commercial and military expansion should be their concerns as well. 

“This September will mark the 75th commemoration of the end of World War II, and the birth of the international rules-based order that has supported security and prosperity across the globe.

“The United States, our NATO allies, and partners across the Indo-Pacific have sacrificed blood and treasure over the decades to protect and preserve it. 

“Yet, the PRC seeks to undermine and subvert this system, the same one that allowed them to rise and become what they are today.

“As we speak, Communist China is exerting financial and political pressure, publicly and privately, on many Indo-Pacific and European nations – large and small – while pursuing new strategic relationships worldwide.

“In fact, the smaller the country, the heavier the hand of Beijing. 

“Through its Belt and Road Initiative, for example, the PRC is leveraging its overseas investments to force other nations into sub-optimal security decisions.

“This has wide-reaching ramifications for the United States and our allies in critical areas like data security, interoperability, and military readiness.

“While we often doubt the transparency and forthrightness of Beijing, when it comes to their security aims, we should take the Chinese government at its word.

“By 2035, the PRC intends to complete its military modernization,

“And, by 2049, it seeks to dominate Asia as the preeminent global military power.

“Furthermore, the global community should be deeply concerned about the Party’s use of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to surveil and repress Muslim minorities, journalists, and pro-democracy protestors.

“To make matters worse, the government is now exporting these tools worldwide in a manner that could bolster other authoritarian regimes. 

“China’s rapid ascent has stirred much debate over the primacy of the United States and the West in the 21st century.

“I understand this topic is part of this year’s Munich Security Conference report.

“China’s growth over the years has been remarkable, but in many ways it is fueled by theft, coercion, and exploitation of free market economies, private companies, and colleges and universities.

“American and European institutions and corporations face the brunt of these malign activities, and we have seen a multitude of examples where our economies and companies have suffered as a result. 

“But Beijing’s bad behavior will only take them so far.

“The world is increasingly aware of its motives – and responding in turn. 

“Regrettably, rather than change course, Party leadership continues its rampant technology theft, while resolving to eventually end its reliance on foreign innovation altogether, independently develop its own systems, and then dominate critical sectors and markets. 

“Huawei and 5G are today’s poster child for this nefarious activity.

“History has proven time and again, though, that authoritarianism breeds corruption, promotes conformity, smothers free thinking, and suppresses freedom.

“In stark contrast to this are our values, sense of fairness, and culture of opportunity, which encourage disruption and unleash the very best of human intellect, spirit, and innovation.

“This is why it is critical that, together, we directly and unambiguously, address Beijing’s actions and intentions, so that we are never intimidated, duped, or pushed into bad security, economic, or political choices.

“And maybe, just maybe, we can get them on the right path.

“Again, make no mistake, we do not seek conflict with China.

“That’s not what we want; not at all. Rather, we seek fair and open competition in the economic realm.

“And in general, we simply ask of Beijing what we ask of every nation: to play by the rules, abide by international norms, and respect the rights and sovereignty of others.

“To restore an equal footing, the Department of Defense is doing its share.

“We are focused on deterring bad behavior, reassuring our friends and allies, and defending the global commons.

“And to maintain the peace, through strength, we are implementing the United States’ National Defense Strategy.

“As part of this strategy, we are doing our part to safeguard American innovation and reinvigorate our industrial base.

“Thanks to our largest Research and Development budget in 70 years, we are investing in cutting-edge technologies and accelerating the modernization of our force, while at the same time, divesting from legacy systems and re-investing those savings into hypersonic missiles, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and other game-changing technologies.

“Unlike China and others, we will use these advanced capabilities to help keep the peace, promote prosperity, ensure security, and protect the sovereignty of all freedom-loving countries.

“For example, while Beijing uses artificial intelligence to tighten its grip over its people, the Department of Defense has established well-regarded principles for the lawful and ethical use of AI.

“While the PRC develops and deploys long-range fires to intimidate and threaten its neighbors, we are investing in both conventional and advanced missile defense capabilities to protect the homeland, our interests, and our allies.

“And while Communist China is weaponizing the space domain through the development of directed-energy weapons and killer satellites, the Pentagon is standing up its first new military service in over 70 years – the United States Space Force – to ensure freedom of use, commerce and navigation in, to, and through space, for all.  

“Simply put, the contrast between China’s malevolent actions and United States’ leadership couldn’t be more obvious.

“At the same time, we are protecting these high-tech breakthroughs from theft and exploitation by strengthening our foreign investment laws, supply chains, export controls, university-based research, and cyber defenses – all of which have been longstanding attack points of the Chinese government. 

“We are encouraged that our allies and partners are beginning to take similar actions, as they thoroughly assess the long-term threats and challenges posed by China. 

“Among these concerns is a dependence on emerging technologies that could inject serious risk into our defense cooperation.

“Reliance on Chinese 5G vendors, for example, could render our partners’ critical systems vulnerable to disruption, manipulation, and espionage.

“It could also jeopardize our communication and intelligence sharing capabilities, and by extension, our alliances.

“To counter this, we are encouraging allied and U.S. tech companies to develop alternative 5G solutions, and we are working alongside them to test these technologies at our military bases as we speak.

“In the long run, developing our own secure 5G networks will far outweigh any perceived gains from partnering with heavily subsidized Chinese providers that ultimately answer to Party leadership. 

“In short: let’s be smart; let’s learn from the past; and let’s get 5G right so we don’t regret our decisions later.

“The reality of the 21st century is that many economic decisions are also national security decisions.

“We are not asking our partners to reject engagement with China; just the opposite.

“We want you to show them the right path, and nudge them down it. 

“In the meantime, though, we ARE asking our friends to clearly choose a global system that supports democracy, protects human rights, and safeguards our greatest asymmetric advantages: our values, our shared interests, and our unmatched network of alliances and partnerships. 

“We feel that the choice is clear, but recognize it may be tough; that the economic challenges may take a toll in the short run; but our collective future may hang in the balance if we fail to make the hard choices now for the long run.

“The United States does not want an adversarial relationship with China.

“It is a great country with an extraordinary history, a rich culture, and a wonderful people. 

“Rather, we want China to behave like a normal country that adheres to the international rules and order that generations before us have fought hard to protect and preserve. 

“And that means the Chinese government needs to change its policies and behaviors.

“If the PRC will not change its ways, then defending this system must be our collective priority.

“We can only do this by making greater investments in our common defense; by making the hard economic and commercial choices needed to prioritize our shared security; and by working together to maintain a ready and capable alliance network that is prepared to deter any threat, defend any Ally, and defeat any foe.

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