SUSAN Swithenbank, researcher at the Department of Advanced Research Projects Agency، confirms that they are working on a special propulsion system inspired by a movie called “The Hunt for Red October”. It is like a “caterpillar drive” with magnets and electricity, making it move silently in water, just like the movie’s submarine, and cannot be detected on radars. Called a magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) drive, the system has no moving parts at all just magnets and an electric current.
Engineers have been working on MHD drives for decades and the original concept dates back to the 1960s. In 1992, the Japanese Ship and Ocean Foundation built Yamato-1, a 30m-long ship that tested a MHD drive. However, the drive was so heavy that the Yamato-1 could only manage to plod along at a speed of 6.6 knots. It also used a lot of energy.
The US is a global power and it has always projected itself as supreme power internationally. To maintain its global hegemony its power in the sea is very crucial. Sea power is important for the US in every aspect including trade, maritime security, deterrence, etc. With the development of precision weapon system, challenges to the American sea power are increasing because China is developing hypersonic and highly précised anti-ship missiles.
In the event of war, China can easily target American ships and aircraft carriers. Moreover, countries have developed powerful sensors which can easily detect submarines at the bottom of the ocean. Furthermore, advances in the drone technology and space technology are making surveillance systems really strong and powerful. Therefore, in the context of these developments, the value and importance of highly stealth submarines increases a lot.
If the US successfully develops the MHD-driven submarines, it could lead to significant consequences, particularly in its potential to enable submarines to operate within the territories of other nations without being detected by enemy radar systems. The capability acquired by the one state can be used against offensive purpose against other states. It creates a security dilemma for other states and as result it starts an arm race. This capability could raise concerns among these nations, as it could be perceived as a substantial threat to their security. This concern might drive other major global powers to initiate their own efforts in developing counter-technologies capable of identifying and countering these stealth submarines.
If the US successfully develops MHD technology, it could indeed trigger a new arms race. Adversaries of the US would likely perceive this development as a new threat. Consequently, they might heavily invest in creating their own stealth submarines equipped with MHD drives. This pattern could then repeat itself, potentially leading to a situation where multiple countries strive to manufacture these advanced submarines to demonstrate their dominance in their respective regions.
This scenario has the potential to spark a competitive cycle, prompting nations to continuously escalate their technological capabilities in order to maintain a perceived advantage. It’s important to recognize that this dynamic could have significant implications for global security and stability. The emergence of advanced technologies like the Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) drive would create a security dilemma for Pakistan as it is also part of the Indian Ocean where the great power competition is going on. This stealth submarine could cause implications for Pakistan at the strategic level; so, Pakistan should be ready to counter this technological advancement. Overall, the potential for MHD technology can impact regional and global stability.
—The writer is an Associate Research Officer at CISS AJK working on emerging technologies, nuclear politics and new trends in warfare.
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