China’s Palantir? Private tech firms surge into defence AI, aiming to match US giants

China's private technology sector is rapidly expanding into the defense artificial intelligence arena, driven by Beijing's strategic push for military-civil fusion. This integration aims to bolster the People's Liberation Army's capabilities as it approaches its centenary goals for becoming a "world-class" fighting force.

Hangzhou-based Jingan Technology recently highlighted its capabilities, stating that its AI-powered analysis of open-source intelligence detected a significant concentration of U.S. surveillance assets in the Middle East. The company claimed this build-up suggested potential U.S. military operations more than 50 days before air strikes were launched. Jingan's flagship product, the Jingqi Global Situational Awareness System, is marketed as a Chinese counterpart to Western operating systems such as Palantir Technologies' Gotham and Anduril Industries' Lattice.

While industry observers urge caution regarding Jingan's marketing claims, company materials and public disclosures indicate that its software may already be in use within China's public security system, state security apparatus, and some military branches. Jingan represents a growing number of Chinese private tech firms actively participating in the defense AI sector.

This surge in private sector involvement is fueled by Beijing's military-civil fusion strategy, which seeks to integrate commercial technology and expertise into the nation's defense industry. The goal is to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced AI capabilities for military applications, aiming to match or surpass international competitors, particularly U.S. defense giants.