Military theorists and Chinese think tanks have recently highlighted the growing strategic importance of subterranean warfare. As modern combat becomes increasingly defined by drones and precision-guided munitions, experts are looking toward underground environments as a new frontier for military operations. The discussion centers on the potential for the United States to leverage new technologies to navigate or exploit these spaces, which could pose a direct challenge to China’s existing military defenses.

Central to this conversation is the concept of the “subterrene,” a term popularized by Palmer Luckey, the founder of the defense technology firm Anduril. While specific details regarding the maturity or deployment of such technology remain speculative, the discourse reflects a broader shift in military planning. Chinese analysts argue that as surface-level defenses become more vulnerable to high-tech surveillance and strikes, the ability to operate underground could provide a significant tactical advantage. The reports emphasize that China must prioritize its own subterranean security measures to counter these emerging threats. Currently, the discussion is largely driven by Chinese security assessments regarding US technological trajectories, though there has been no official confirmation from the US Department of Defense regarding specific subterranean warfare programs.