Breaking News
Chinese Navy Uses AI to Enhance Stealth Capabilities of Type 054 Frigates Through Naval Degaussing.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy of China has taken a new technological step by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for the first time into a naval degaussing exercise, according to a report broadcast on May 11, 2025, by state-run China Central Television (CCTV). Conducted by a naval base under the Northern Theater Command, the drill simulated an emergency scenario in which a damaged warship required rapid degaussing to restore its magnetic stealth capabilities. This integration represents a significant development in the modernization of naval support operations, enhancing both the speed and accuracy of technical responses.
During the recent exercise, a rapid-response unit was deployed to carry out an emergency degaussing operation on a Type 054A frigate, simulating a vessel damaged in combat (Picture source: Chinese MoD)
Degaussing plays a critical role in the operational maintenance of military vessels. By neutralizing magnetic fields gradually accumulated in metal hulls, it helps reduce the risk of triggering magnetic naval mines and limits exposure to adversary detection systems. Without regular degaussing, vessels become increasingly detectable and vulnerable to underwater threats, compromising their stealth and operational safety. This accumulation is due to the combined influence of the Earth's magnetic field and the constant activity of onboard propulsion and weapons systems, which progressively magnetize the hull over time.
During the recent exercise, a rapid-response unit was deployed to carry out an emergency degaussing operation on a Type 054A frigate, simulating a vessel damaged in combat. This class of frigate, one of the most numerous in the PLA Navy’s surface fleet, is equipped for anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and coastal protection missions. The operation involved the use of specialized equipment, including magnetic field detectors, precision positioning devices, and degaussing cables, which generate counteracting electrical currents to neutralize the vessel’s residual magnetism.
The key contribution of AI in this drill lay in its role within a decision-support system used operationally for the first time. This system allowed real-time optimization of degaussing parameters by analyzing the ship’s magnetic profile and automatically adjusting the intensity and duration of the electrical current applied. According to CCTV, the introduction of AI improved the efficiency of the process by 60%, significantly reducing calculation time, human error, and estimation margins. The AI system also enabled immediate verification of the results by comparing measurements to predefined benchmarks, thereby shortening the post-operation validation phase.
According to Song Zhongping, a Chinese military analyst cited by the Global Times, the speed of degaussing cycles is closely tied to a fleet’s combat readiness. A naval group that can quickly restore the stealth of its vessels after missions or incidents retains a strategic advantage during deployments or in conflict zones.
Alongside this technical development, the exercise also highlighted a shift in training methods aimed at accelerating the integration of new recruits into high-responsibility roles. Twelve young sailors, all under the age of 23, were assigned to the emergency support unit from the outset of their training. They were exposed to complex, degraded scenarios under conditions designed to replicate real combat environments. This approach seeks to fast-track operational skill acquisition by replacing passive learning phases with immediate exposure to field operations.
One testimony featured in the CCTV report illustrated this new approach: Liu Yunhe, a junior sailor involved in the drill, said he fully realized the seriousness of his role when the degaussing current was activated. “The real battlefield offers no room for trial and error. When the current was switched on, I truly felt I was on the front line,” he said. Commander Sun Hui, who oversaw the exercise, stated that this training model represents a shift toward an operational culture where new personnel are directly integrated into critical missions from the beginning to build collective efficiency more rapidly.
This dual transformation—technological and organizational—reflects a broader trend of accelerated modernization across the Chinese armed forces, particularly in the areas of logistical support and embedded automation systems. By applying AI-based decision-making tools to tasks traditionally performed by humans, such as degaussing, the PLA Navy is exploring optimization pathways that could extend to other domains, including automated maintenance, navigation, and electronic warfare.
The PLA Navy’s AI-assisted degaussing drill illustrates the convergence of technological innovation with doctrinal evolution. The successful integration of intelligent systems into a critical support procedure not only reduces intervention times but also improves precision and reliability, while lessening the cognitive load on personnel. Combined with an immersive training policy for young recruits, this approach underscores Beijing’s intent to steer its fleet toward a performance model based on automation, adaptability, and accelerated skills development.