The Chinese military has formed a new data unit to help naval commanders make decisions – something that could be extended to other branches of the armed forces in future.
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A report in the official People’s Liberation Army Daily said the naval training unit was building an “expert” team to enhance the use of data resources and develop advanced training methods.
The report said a recent naval exercise had seen thousands of combat data points being swiftly analysed and compiled into a report that was given to ships.
The unit’s leader, who was not named in the report, said that simply possessing data was insufficient adding: “Timely processing, precise analysis and effective application are essential to unlocking the full potential of data and generating enhanced combat power.”
The report said the team included “data collectors”, who gather mission-critical, foundational and dynamic data, and “data managers,” who organise and standardise data from various sources.
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“The unit has leveraged data to deeply analyse combat strategies, assess force deployment under different threat scenarios and accelerate the development of training environments and simulation tools,” PLA Daily added.
Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor said: “In addition to supporting commanders in making precise decisions during operations, the data system also allows for post-combat reviews and identifying weaknesses in ship formations when defending against incoming missiles. This helps commanders refine tactics and improve coordination.”