Documents from the PLA portal show attempts by the Chinese military to acquire Nvidia chips for AI-driven systems and robotic applications.
Requests for Banned Chips
The documents reveal that the PLA requested H100, RTX 6000, and H20 chips, some of which are banned from export to China. Bids published in April included requests for the banned Nvidia chips to run servers capable of powering advanced AI models.
Reactions from Nvidia and the U.S.
A Nvidia spokesperson stated that China has sufficient domestic chips for military purposes and that acquiring a small number of older chips is not a national security concern. However, recent U.S. decisions to lift the ban on H20 chips have raised alarms among policymakers urging the reimposition of the ban.
Future of Technology Supply
Experts suggest that the PLA may acquire restricted technologies through indirect means. Such actions could involve using subsidiaries and shell companies. Nevertheless, future Nvidia supplies are likely to face strict scrutiny from U.S. authorities.
Efforts by the Chinese military to access Nvidia chips highlight the importance of technology control and its potential military applications.
