Screenshot of AI-generated short video titled "Joint operations to thwart 'Taiwan independence' attempts" by PLA Eastern Theater Command Photo: PLA Eastern Theater Command

The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) released an AI-generated short video titled "Joint operations to thwart 'Taiwan independence' attempts" for its latest military exercises. With cutting-edge visual effects, the video depicts swarms of eagles, sharks, fish, bees, wolves, and apes morphing into the PLA's latest unmanned weaponry and equipment, showcasing large-scale unmanned combat scenarios.

This AI-produced video features a noteworthy logo that not only denotes ownership of the unmanned systems but also signals the PLA's formal launch of its unmanned warfare initiative.

The video has thrilled military enthusiasts. It starts with an "eagle swarm" segment: Eagles transform into armed reconnaissance UAVs patrolling the skies over the Taiwan island, demonstrating the PLA's all-weather, long-endurance, and high-precision intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. "Eagle eyes lock on, target eliminated with one strike."

In the "shark swarm" sequence, sharks transform into unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) cruising the deep seas, showcasing the PLA's low-cost, high-efficiency, and stealthy anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and underwater reconnaissance capabilities. "Silent predators in the deep ocean can strike without a trace."

On the sea surface, leaping fish transform into "Orca" unmanned surface vessels (USVs) that form low-cost striking webs through manned-unmanned team-up. These USVs conduct decoy operations, ISR, and anti-ship strikes.

The most visually impressive segment is the "bee swarm": Swarms of bees morph into micro-UAVs deployed en masse by large "Jetank" UAVs for long-range delivery. This swarm tactic creates overwhelming deterrence and significantly extends operational reach.

In the "wolf pack" segment, wolves traversing mountain forests become quadrupedal "robot wolves" and through  dynamic task allocation via AI algorithms, they carry out coordinated swarm tactics. They excel in reconnaissance, infiltration, and assault missions across mountainous, jungle, and urban warfare environments. 

In the "ape swarm" urban combat sequence, PLA service members transform into intelligent robots to perform reconnaissance, early warning, infiltration, and assault during urban seizure operations, enhancing operational effectiveness and reducing casualties. 

The video culminates in a breathtaking montage of all unmanned weaponry and equipment operating in unison. Analysts noted that this highlights not only the PLA's advanced unmanned hardware but also its innovation-driven, integrated unmanned and intelligent warfare capabilities.

Standing out in the top-right corner throughout the AI-generated video is the "War Drum" column logo of the PLA Eastern Theater Command — a symbol of both the unmanned systems' affiliation and the PLA's resolute commitment to unmanned warfare.

This marks the PLA's evolution in operational concepts and doctrines, analysts emphasized. Integrated air, land, sea, and space operations, coupled with coordinated manned-unmanned capabilities, enable overwhelming strikes that leave adversaries with no means of escape or concealment, they said.

Analysts added that the Eastern Theater Command's use of AI to showcase unmanned warfare concepts serves as a strong response to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' attempts to arm the island with squandered public funds. Such a "porcupine strategy" stands no chance against the PLA's growing cutting-edge and new quality combat capabilities.