The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran under Operation Epic Fury has taken a surprising turn, not just on the battlefield but in the world of technology. Reports suggest that advanced artificial intelligence tools are now being used by Chinese tech firms to track US military movements in real time, creating a serious challenge for American defence strategy.
According to a report by The Washington Post, this new form of surveillance is changing how wars are monitored and fought, marking the beginning of a new era where private companies play a major role in global intelligence.
How Are Chinese Firms Tracking US Forces?
Chinese technology companies are using AI to combine different types of open data, such as:
- Flight tracking systems
- Shipping movement records
- Satellite images
By combining all this information, they are able to create detailed insights into US military operations. This includes tracking aircraft movements, naval fleets, and even identifying patterns in refuelling and deployment.
Companies like MizarVision and Jing’an Technology are said to be leading this effort, offering highly detailed analysis that goes beyond basic public tracking.
What Makes This Threat So Serious?
One of the biggest concerns is that these firms are not just observing but providing actionable intelligence. Reports claim that they have tracked US military activity at key locations like Al Udeid Air Base and monitored the movement of major aircraft carriers such as the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln.
This level of tracking reduces the advantage of secrecy and surprise that the US military has traditionally relied on.
What Is the Role of Satellites in This?
A major part of this surveillance system comes from space. The Jilin-1 Constellation provides high-resolution images that help monitor military assets on land and sea.
Experts say this satellite network is being used as a “live lab” to study how the US military reacts during real conflict situations. By observing patterns, analysts can understand how quickly forces respond and how operations are executed.
Is China Directly Involved?
Officially, China maintains that it is not involved in the conflict and supports diplomatic solutions. However, these private firms are part of a larger national strategy that links civilian technology with military goals.
This allows China to indirectly influence global conflicts while avoiding direct military involvement, creating what experts call “plausible deniability.”
