China Advances its Own GPS Technology

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GPS, run by the U.S. government, had a nearly $56 billion economy in 2015. The GPS is currently used in nearly every major positioning technology, from Google Maps to e-commerce to social networks. Since the technology would be crucial in wartime for fighter jets, military communications, and missile guidance systems, similar technologies have been created by Russia with its GLONASS system, the European Union with its GALILEO system, and China with its BDS system.

China has reportedly brought its military replacement for the GPS into full operation in the course of just over four months. It now plans to promote the technology first among nearby countries, then globally by 2020.

Chinese news outlet DWNews reported that China allegedly brought its Beidou Satellite Navigation System (BDS) into relative full operation over the last several months. Having launched eight satellites, the Chinese leaders want the system to eventually have 35 satellites.

China has launched the BDS was already in 1994 with three satellites, but the system was filled with flaws, and it was only in November 2017 that it advanced significantly with the launch of the Beidou No. 3 satellites.

According to theepochtimes.com, the technology is a dual-use system: The regime is selling it to economic sectors, but as the technology advances, it will also increase the regime’s military capabilities. The Chinese regime has already embedded BDS into “various large-scale weapon launching platforms” and in “single soldier reconnaissance and group operations.” China is reportedly developing capabilities in the BDS for “reconnaissance, surveillance, command, and assisted attacks,” among others.