Australia will soon fly a fleet of surveillance drones over the interior of Antarctica and establish temporary stations to boost its influence amid renewed competition in territory it maintains an historical claim to.
The strategy will allow scientists to study new areas, and also ensure Australia is active within its claimAn Antarctic strategy expert warned the move could encourage China and Russia to use more drones, which have military and civilian applications
"The money we are investing in drone fleets, helicopters and other vehicles will enable us to explore areas of East Antarctica's inland that no country has ever been able to reach before," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.Some security experts and government analysts worry that if the treaty — which also bans military and mining activity — were to fail, then China may challenge Australia's claim and role in the region.
The drone fleets and other autonomous vehicles will establish an "Antarctic eye" in the region, with integrated cameras and sensors allowing vision and data to be viewed in real time. Antarctic strategy expert Elizabeth Buchanan from Deakin University said the investment in drones was "sorely needed" but would need to be carefully managed.
Dr Buchanan said Australia had fallen behind when it came to inland traverse capability, making it difficult to routinely inspect Chinese bases closer to the South Pole, such as Kunlun."In fact, no [treaty nation] has undertaken an inspection of Kunlun station."
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