Australia has announced it will be spending millions on drones and automated robotic vehicles for exploration and research on Antarctica, as well as to provide surveillance of what observers say is increased Chinese activity around the continent.
Australia, which lays claim to about 42% of Antarctica, is concerned by what some observers say has been China’s increasingly assertive activity around the continent – something it will monitor with new drone and helicopter deployments. Prime Minister Scoot Morrison said Tuesday the government had cleared $584 million in spending on those aerial craft, as well as robotic vehicles that will be used to keep an eye on Chinese vehicles and personnel in the area. The assets will primarily assist researchers working to learn more about the inhospitable, often inaccessible areas of territory it controls.
“The money we are investing in drone fleets, helicopters, and other vehicles will enable us to explore areas of East…
