US report warns PLA electronic warfare could pose ‘significant challenge’ in Taiwan Strait

Chinese military’s capabilities include radar-jamming devices, high-energy lasers and electromagnetic pulse weapons, US agency says

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China’s air force operates J-16D electronic warfare fighter jets for radar jamming, according to a new US government report. Photo: AP

Published: 6:00am, 20 Nov 2024Updated: 11:28am, 20 Nov 2024

China’s electronic warfare ability would present “a significant challenge” to the US in the event of a conflict across the Taiwan Strait, according to a report to the US Congress.

The report published by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) on Tuesday said the People’s Liberation Army had developed “substantial” electronic warfare capabilities to “detect, target, and disrupt” the US military and its partners operating in the Indo-Pacific.

The US government agency said that in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict, Beijing expected Washington to field uncrewed submarines, uncrewed surface ships, aerial drones, next-generation aircraft and ships equipped with advanced sensors, radars, and precision-guided munitions to target PLA forces.

In preparation, China has developed electronic warfare capabilities that could “present a significant challenge to US forces by disrupting the data links and communications US and allied forces need to operate during conflict”, according to the report.

“The PLA’s EW [electronic warfare] capabilities include offensive and defensive capabilities that disrupt an enemy’s equipment or protect PLA weapons systems from enemy attack.”

The PLA had also considered how to use electronic warfare as a “deception strategy” by concealing real signals and “injecting false information” to mislead adversaries, it said.