China's Dual-Use Research Vessels Raise Concerns Over Undersea Data Dominance and Critical Infrastructure Threats
China is increasingly utilizing dual-use research vessels for undersea data collection, raising concerns about its potential to achieve 'undersea data dominance.' These vessels, equipped with seabed-mapping systems and deploying underwater gliders, conduct surveys that can be repurposed for military planning, such as optimizing sonar performance and supporting long-range underwater surveillance. Analysis of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data revealed that Chinese-flagged ships spend significantly more time on the high seas compared to vessels from other nations, with activity near subsea infrastructure sharply increasing in 2024. Case studies of vessels like the Xiang Yang Hong 06 and Ke Xue show repeated, survey-like movements near strategically significant cable systems, including a likely intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission near Russia in 2024.
