In this episode of the MWI Podcast, we speak to Elsa Kania, an Adjunct Fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, whose research is at the forefront of efforts to better understand the way China approaches innovation and military technology. From artificial intelligence to automation to railgun technology, we discuss Chinese technological priorities and how they overlay on the Chinese government’s strategic objectives.
Listen to the full conversation, and if you aren’t already subscribed to the MWI Podcast, be sure to find it on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode!
Note: This episode originally ran in March 2018.
Image credit: Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, US Air Force
An analogy…
When the Chinese started warfare, they had crossbows, longbows, horse cavalry, artillery, swordsmen, pikemen, horse leg blade choppers, halberd carriers, etc. in massive formations. (such as the Terra Cotta warriors)
When the USA started warfare in this nation, they had musketmen and perhaps some cannon guerilla-style (Revolutionary War).
So compare the two as if a wargame. Can American musketmen ward off all these Chinese attackers with all these assortment of weapons, even if primitive? It might be like General Custer where the artillery will crush the musketmen before the musketball even gets into range. Horse cavalry might finish them off. So it's guerilla style against a mass formation which is what is happening with the insurgency.
The Chinese advanced to gunpowder and followed suit with warfare advances. Now in 2019, the Russians and Chinese have more weapons presenting more threats to the USA than the USA has variety. We may have more quantity (more tanks for example), but we don't have more selections of arrows in the basket to counter all threats due to cost, readiness, and maintenance.
Another is philosophy. The USA may be tired of war compared to other nations who haven't seen war. National pride also factors in. Therefore, the sharing of technology for warfare may or may not be easy to obtain based on the public's attitude.