The People’s Liberation Army of China has conducted tactical exercises involving infantry FPV drones and ground combat robots.
The purpose of the training demonstrated by the Chinese army was to practice the interaction between personnel and unmanned systems in modern combat.
Particular attention was paid to reconnaissance, spot clearing, fire support, breaching defenses, and other elements of an offensive operation.
Chinese operators launched FPV drones in an unconventional manner – by throwing them into the air, rather than launching them from the ground. After launching, the drones were guided to targets.
The robotic dogs involved in the exercise were first presented in 2024 at the international exhibition Airshow China.
These “steel warriors” are capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including reconnaissance, overcoming obstacles, and transporting cargo, such as ammunition.
Last year, during the joint exercise “Golden Dragon 2024” between China and Cambodia, a robotic dog armed with a rifle was used for assault operations.
This time, the robot is also equipped with a rifle and operates on the front lines as part of an assault unit, supporting infantry.
In addition to ground robots, the exercise demonstrated the active use of low-cost FPV drones in Chinese infantry units.
Videos and photos released earlier this year showed Chinese soldiers using FPV drones on a massive scale for reconnaissance and attack.
The military also used a UAV with an assault rifle during the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon 2025 exercise.
The drone was integrated with the QBZ-95 assault rifle, which provided fire cover for ground units.
