ISTANBUL

A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy used artificial intelligence (AI) in a warship degaussing exercise for the first time, state media reported on Sunday.

Degaussing improves the vessel's stealth capabilities by reducing its magnetic signature, and the integration of AI could speed up the degaussing process while enhancing the development of combat readiness, said Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, according to a CCTV report.

The exercise, carried out by a base under the PLA Northern Theater Command Navy, saw an emergency degaussing support unit rapidly moving out with equipment including magnetic detectors, positioning devices, and degaussing wires to degauss a "damaged warship" during a simulated emergency.

Exposed magnetic signatures can trigger magnetic sea mines, but degaussing reduces this danger by restoring a ship’s magnetic stealth. According to PLA Daily, this process helps warships avoid detection by magnetic sensors and shields them from magnetic weapon threats.

This recent drill was the first to feature the operational use of an AI-assisted decision-making system, boosting work efficiency by 60%.