In response to escalating global nuclear tensions, Chinese scientists have reportedly conducted a doomsday experiment to assess the resilience of their communication equipment and determine its ability to withstand such a scenario.
Chinese researchers have subjected data link hardware to a “doomsday” test, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The experiments, which exceeded standard military specifications, aimed to ensure China’s ability to maintain crucial communications in the event of a nuclear strike.
Engineers involved in the project stated that the equipment was pushed far beyond current military standards during the trial.
China’s Doomsday Test
It’s important to consider that China is a signatory to the no-first-use policy regarding nuclear weapons.
Therefore, the experiment’s objective was to ensure that communication systems remain functional should the country face a nuclear strike, allowing China’s retaliatory forces to survive an initial assault.
According to the report, researchers simulated a scenario in which a nuclear explosion occurs in the stratosphere—known as a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) attack—to determine whether their equipment could withstand the devastating effects such an explosion would create.
A representative from the PLA Air Force equipment department was present to observe the test, though the exact date remains classified.
Standard military guidelines in both China and the U.S. stipulate that any HEMP-proof equipment must operate after exposure to an electric field of 50 kilovolts per meter.
However, for this experiment, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chinese researchers increased this threshold to 80 kilovolts per meter to simulate the electromagnetic pulses generated by a nuclear explosion.
The report stated that test results indicated that the equipment functioned after a brief delay, with the data link communication network remaining intact.
According to the SCMP, engineers from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) enhanced the data link hardware’s robustness. CETC is also the primary supplier of electronic warfare equipment for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
As noted in the report, the findings were published in a peer-reviewed paper in the Chinese academic journal Wireless Communication Technology in September.
The Threat Of Nuclear Attack
These tests come amid heightened international nuclear concerns.
Since the end of the Cold War, the role of nuclear weapons has only intensified, with many nuclear states actively modernizing and strengthening their arsenals.
Earlier this year, the United Nations issued a stark warning that the threat of a nuclear attack has reached levels not seen since the Cold War’s conclusion.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted this concern during a June 2024 conference of the Arms Control Association, stating, “Nuclear blackmail has re-emerged, with some recklessly threatening nuclear catastrophe. Meanwhile, the regime designed to prevent the use, testing, and proliferation of nuclear weapons is weakening.”
In June 2024, outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the alliance was discussing plans to deploy more nuclear weapons, taking them out of storage and placing them on standby.
Furthermore, In September 2024, as the US and its allies discussed permitting Ukraine to launch longer-range attacks into Russia, Russia’s President Putin unveiled a new nuclear doctrine that explicitly outlined the conditions for potential nuclear weapon use. Sources within the Kremlin indicated that this policy would allow for the deployment of Russia’s substantial nuclear arsenal in response to perceived aggression.
Additionally, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have raised concerns about potential attacks involving nuclear weapons and threats to nuclear energy facilities.
Many will recall that in 2019, Robert C. O’Brien, a former national security advisor to President Donald Trump, urged for nuclear tests if Trump secured a second term, arguing it would help the US “maintain technical and numerical superiority over the combined Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles.”
In light of these developments, Chinese scientists are taking every step to safeguard their homeland against any eventuality.
Nuclear Hardening Of Electronics
Since the first atomic bomb detonation, nuclear hardening of electronics against radiation and electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) has been a focus. This process enhances the resilience of electronic components to radiation and EMP damage.
These specialized components serve crucial roles in Aerospace systems, Defense infrastructure, GPS networks, Weather monitoring systems, and Nuclear testing programs.
Engineers achieve radiation hardening through specialized design techniques and shielding that protect sensitive components from both radiation and electromagnetic pulses.
These protective measures have become increasingly sophisticated as nuclear technology has advanced.
Nuclear Preparedness & Rising Stakes
As tensions have grown among the U.S., China, and Russia in recent years, the long-standing international consensus around nuclear nonproliferation has shown signs of strain. Nuclear technology has emerged as a critical factor in the ongoing competition for strategic superiority among these major powers.
China’s enhanced testing protocols reflect this shifting landscape, demonstrating a broader international trend toward strengthening nuclear preparedness. While China maintains its no-first-use policy, its military has intensified efforts to ensure communication systems can withstand worst-case scenarios.
These preparations, alongside similar initiatives by other nuclear powers, underscore a complex new chapter in global strategic relations where nuclear capability and resilience have taken center stage.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
