China has unveiled a deep-sea cable-cutting device that defense analysts warn could pose significant risks to global undersea communications infrastructure, according to recently published research first reported by the South China Morning Post.
The device, developed by the China Ship Scientific Research Centre (CSSRC) and its affiliated State Key Laboratory of Deep-sea Manned Vehicles, can operate at depths of 4,000 meters — roughly twice the operational range of existing undersea communication systems.
Engineers led by Hu Haolong detailed the technology in the peer-reviewed Chinese journal Mechanical Engineer in February. The device employs a diamond-coated grinding wheel spinning at 1,600 rpm to slice through reinforced cables that carry approximately 95% of global data traffic.
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The tool specifically targets armored cables that are layered with steel, rubber, and polymer sheaths. At 4,000 meters depth, water pressure exceeds 400 atmospheres, requiring specialized engineering. The Chinese team addressed this challenge through titanium alloy construction and oil-compensated seals. The device’s one-kilowatt motor provides sufficient power while balancing efficiency concerns.
While Chinese researchers maintain the tool was created for civilian purposes such as salvage operations and seabed mining, security experts point to potential military applications — particularly regarding Taiwan.
Collin Koh, a research fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told CNN that cable-cutting tools are commonly used for maintenance, but this technological breakthrough raises concerns given recent incidents.
“What is alarming here is the political context that we attach to it,” Koh noted, pointing to recent incidents of undersea cable damage involving Chinese vessels around Taiwan and in the Baltic Sea.
The concern is that in the event of a conflict, China could sever the undersea cables around Taiwan, potentially disrupting the island’s communication with the outside world.
The technology has successfully cut 60 mm-thick cables in ground tests. Whether it has been fully operationalized remains unclear, with Koh noting that the device may still be in experimental stages.
The development is part of China’s expanding undersea capabilities, including the world’s largest fleet of manned and unmanned submersibles. Construction of a 2,000-meter-deep “ocean space station” on the South China Sea floor began recently, designed to support six people for month-long missions.
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