China to develop new cruise missiles

As China sets out to strengthen its military, focus falls missile development, including testing anti-missile missiles and anti-satellite missiles.

China is eyeing the use of a high level of artificial intelligence and automation for its next generation of cruise missiles, a senior designer was quoted as saying on Friday.

"We plan to adopt a 'plug and play' approach in the development of new cruise missiles, which will enable our military commanders to tailor-make missiles in accordance with combat conditions," Wang Changqing of the China Aerospace and Industry Corp told the state-run China Daily newspaper.

"Moreover, our future cruise missiles will have a very high level of artificial intelligence and automation," Wang added.

"They will allow commanders to control them in real time manner, or to use a fire-and-forget mode, or even to add more tasks to in-flight missiles."

According to Reuters, Chinese President Xi Jinping is overseeing an ambitious military modernisation programme. This included developing stealth fighters and building aircraft carriers.

China reportedly said that it has no hostile intent, putting down protection of its “legitimate security needs as the world’s second-largest economy” as the reason for its needs of a modern military.