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About this talk

The Centre for Statecraft & National Security is excited to host Dr. Benjamin Blandin for a talk on Unmanned and Unconventional - Chinese Maritime Strategy in the First Island Chain. This briefing examines the rapid expansion of China's use of unmanned and unconventional maritime assets across the First Island Chain and increasingly in extra-regional theatres, including the Indian, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. It analyses how these platforms—combined with civilian, paramilitary, and dual-use actors—support a broader strategy designed to operate in the grey zone, challenge existing maritime norms, and complicate traditional deterrence frameworks. The presentation will highlight operational patterns, strategic intent, and emerging risks, with a particular focus on escalation management, attribution challenges, and the implications for regional security actors. Key discussion points: - The strategic logic behind China's use of unmanned and unconventional systems - Integration of civilian, paramilitary, and military maritime actors - Operational deployment patterns across key theatres - Implications for deterrence, maritime security, and regional stability

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