Key facts
- Chinese scientists claim an algorithm can identify electronic warfare units using civil aviation flight data.
- Two suspected Israeli electronic warfare units were reportedly located near Haifa.
- Positioning errors for the detected units ranged from 10.9km to 20.7km.
Chinese military scientists have reportedly developed an algorithm capable of identifying electronic warfare units by analyzing civil aviation flight data. The researchers claim to have detected two such units near Haifa, Israel, during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The algorithm reportedly identified positioning errors for these units ranging from 10.9km to 20.7km. The researchers did not specify why they focused on the Israeli military. Separately, Chinese commercial AI companies are reportedly using open-source data, including flight tracking, to provide granular intelligence on U.S. military activities in the Middle East, with some firms having documented ties to the People's Liberation Army. Additionally, Israeli defense officials have warned about the potential for Chinese-made drones to expose troop locations and operational information to hostile monitoring due to their affordability and potential for data transmission.