Military gear being adapted for police

Chinese defense equipment manufacturers are eager to adapt their military technologies for the police and anti-terrorism equipment market, according to industry insiders.

Pods designed for military aircraft, usually containing electronic warfare equipment, can be mounted on police helicopters, patrol ships and armored vehicles, said Wang Yanyong, a manager at Beijing A-Star Science and Technology.

"The pods were primarily developed for military aircraft, especially the modern, advanced types in service with the People's Liberation Army air force, but now we plan to promote them to public security authorities," Wang said on Tuesday at the opening of the 2015 China Military and Civilian Integration Expo in Beijing.

"Some of our pods were designed to detect stealth fighter jets, so they have a number of cutting-edge technologies," he said. "For instance, they usually have multiple detection methods such as laser and infrared equipment, so they will have huge potential if the police use them to conduct patrols and searches at night or in bad weather."

Cai Yulin, a sales manager with Origin Dynamic Technology, a Beijing producer of unmanned military platforms, said his company is promoting military robots for police use.

State-owned defense contractors are also eyeing the lucrative police equipment market.

China North Industries Group, one of the country's biggest arms makers, has several drones specifically designed for the police on display at the expo.

Qian Yi, a designer of unmanned aircraft for the group, said the drones range from light-duty models that can conduct reconnaissance within a building to larger models with long-distance and long-duration capabilities.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn