I think here these boats are going to become a fixture in future naval warfare. Established militaries will certainly begin using them. They're going to become, I believe, common among non-state groups. And indeed autonomy will allow these boats to be used in swarms that are exceedingly difficult to defend against. No amount of netting or hagfish slime can stop a truly sophisticated swarm of naval boats whipping towards you across the waves.
The sudden rescinding of zero-covid strictures has, as expected, led to a spike in cases. Our correspondent visits overstretched hospitals and crematoria, and considers what will happen next. Aerial drones have in part shaped the war in Ukraine; now the naval kind are starting to play a role. And French-language purity goes out the window when it comes to startups.
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