An Unmanned South China Sea? Understanding the Risks and Implications of the Arrival of the Digital and Robotic Revolution in Military Affairs in the SCS

Abstract

The chapter aims to understand how the introduction of new military technology—in particular robotic unmanned technology—would influence the waters of the SCS. Currently it is clear that the conflict in the SCS has been heating up and that its waters are becoming unruly. Albeit unruly it has not turned yet into to a storm, which in the author’s opinion can be contributed to a delicate political balance in place. However, history has shown that the introduction of new military technology—and the absence of norms and values on how to use and counter them—could radically change a military and political situation. The purpose of this chapter is therefore to understand whether the robotics revolution will change the situation in the SCS, how it will change this and what this would mean for the future direction of the disputes.