A bipartisan congressional panel is seeking answers into China’s electromagnetic spectrum development as the country ramps up its electronic warfare capabilities in search of dominating the Indo-Pacific region and possibly invading Taiwan in 2027.
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, created in 2000, is issuing a request for proposals in the coming days for an unclassified report on China’s management of electromagnetic spectrum resources, inquiry details first obtained by Bloomberg Government show.
Electronic warfare uses the electromagnetic spectrum—signals such as radio, infrared, or radar— to defend or disrupt communication. Spectrum is also key for wireless broadband and satellite communications.
The request is prompted in part by lessons from the war in Ukraine and the ticking deadline of 2027—the date the intelligence community assesses China would try to annex or invade Taiwan.
Electronic warfare emerged as one of the key capabilities in Ukraine’s war against the Russian invasion, Commissioner Michael Kuiken said in an interview.
“When we look towards 2027, how are the Chinese thinking about spectrum?” he said.
Open source literature is rather scarce, even though China is bolstering its warfare capabilities, he said. The lack of extensive information prompted the request for proposals.
Ukraine has proven that control of the electromagnetic spectrum is as crucial as land, sea, air, and space operations promp militaries to boost their development of sensors, communications and countermeasures.
The report’s key requirements are an overview of how China manages its electromagnetic spectrum and how China uses spectrum for technology, economy, and military.
In particular, the report must look into how China’s management of spectrum improves the military’s “joint warfighting capabilities” and how its use affects intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, space, electronic warfare and cyber capabilities.
The report must also assess how China is pursuing its interests in setting global standards for the next generation of wireless technologies, including space-based uses of spectrum. The report should include China’s current role in the International Telecommunications Union and its activities that could shape the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027.
The US is currently at an impasse over the sale of portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Senate Republicans are considering a massive sale of radio spectrum intended to generate billions of dollars to help pay for President Donald Trump’s agenda and free up airwaves for wireless broadband. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman
GOP Senators Weigh Selling Radio Spectrum to Reap $100 Billion
Past proposals to auction the spectrum have faced resistance from US agencies, especially the Defense Department, which holds much of it for military use and warned that re-engineering systems could cost hundreds of billions of dollars. The Pentagon uses the spectrum for high-powered radar, communications and navigation--all key in future conflicts.
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