China recently conducted military exercises that showcased a variety of intelligent technologies, including exoskeletons combined with high-power lasers, robotic dogs, and drones. One of these drills was likely conducted near the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) ahead of India’s Army Day.
The PLA Army said in a statement on January 13 that regiments under the PLA Xinjiang Military Headquarters deployed manned and unmanned units to enhance support for combat forces during a recent logistics exercise in an undisclosed highland area. The state-run newspaper Global Times reported that the two countries used a cooperative model. .
Facing obstacles that impeded convoy movement, the force used all-terrain vehicles and unmanned vehicles to advance the mission.
In preparation for an emergency situation where roads were destroyed, PLA troops unloaded supplies from vehicles and used exoskeletons and drones to bypass damaged areas and reach their destinations.
Exoskeletons are wearable devices that enhance human strength and reduce physical strain.
One of the photos released with the People’s Liberation Army statement showed a soldier with a robot dog carrying two supply crates. The use of robotic dogs by PLA soldiers has been widely documented, particularly in military training with domestic and foreign partners. The use of these robots for logistics will reduce pressure on the military and facilitate the mobilization of supplies, especially in difficult terrain such as mountainous areas.
Although the People’s Liberation Army has not disclosed the exact “plateau location” of the exercise, Indian media reports suggest that the exercise will take place on the disputed border with India, which remains confidential five years later. This suggests that the attack was likely carried out near the Line of Control (LAC). Border conflict in 2020.
A report in an Indian publication states: “China’s logistics exercises highlight China’s strategic intent to enhance its operational readiness in high-altitude environments, particularly in the Xinjiang region bordering Ladakh.” The introduction reflects Beijing’s focus on modernizing its military capabilities for asymmetric warfare. ”
The report emphasized that these exercises serve as a strategic posture and demonstrate China’s ability to quickly gather and maintain troops in disputed areas. With these training exercises, the People’s Liberation Army hoped to reiterate that soldiers could overcome the physiological challenges of high-altitude combat by using exoskeletons.
Interestingly, this exercise comes ahead of the Indian Army Day on January 15. In a recent press conference, Indian Army Chief of Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said the two countries remain at “some level of conflict” and the Indian military is considering diplomacy. Negotiation to resolve the situation.
Both countries recently implemented a complete military disengagement in the last remaining area of eastern Ladakh, paving the way for détente. But it has not dramatically changed the dynamics of the region.
“As far as the conflict situation (with China) is concerned… we have to look at what has changed since April 2020. Has the terrain been tampered with over a period of time?” Yes, both sides The terrain has been altered. Did both parties carry out the construction? yes. Are both countries stockpiling and deploying to some extent? yes. So what this means is that there will be some level of conflict,” General Dwivedi said. General Dwivedi said the situation along the border with China was “stable but sensitive”.
Additionally, the timing of these drills is particularly important as it comes just days after China announced the establishment of two new prefectures in Hotan, Xinjiang. According to India, one of these districts includes a large part of Aksai Chin, an Indian territory under illegal Chinese occupation. Officials and experts say the move is aimed at strengthening China’s control over the occupied territories.
Experts noted that these recent exercises underscore the importance for India to remain vigilant and advance its own military modernization efforts in Ladakh. Indian troops also practiced winter warfare to thwart Chinese attacks. However, the PLA’s technological innovations, as seen in its latest training, may be a cause for concern for the Indian military.
The high-tech PLA must worry about its adversaries
In a separate development, the People’s Liberation Army’s Northern Theater Naval Sea Defense Engineer Unit conducted explosive ordnance disposal training at a firing range on an island in Bohai Bay. For this purpose, the People’s Liberation Army used drones equipped with high-power lasers.
First, a drone was deployed to search for explosives and mark their coordinates. High-power lasers were then deployed to dispose of the explosives.
A member of the team told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that the high-power laser could be used remotely from hundreds of meters, making it a safer and more effective way to dispose of explosives. The power is tripled and the explosive disposal time is reduced by one-fifth.
China’s use of lasers is not unprecedented. In fact, with drone warfare gaining attention around the world, equipping drones with lasers is rapidly becoming popular. In particular, laser directed energy weapons (LDEWs) have the potential to revolutionize warfare. They offer an innovative way to counter both traditional and asymmetric threats due to their precision, rapid targeting, scalability, affordability, and ability to reduce collateral damage.
Laser beams have long been used in combat. Its main features include precision aiming, distance sensing, and target tracking. However, they are increasingly used for destructive missions. Integrating lasers into drones improves pinpoint accuracy. China’s efforts to develop advanced laser weapons range from low-power tactical beam emitters that can deter hostile drones to high-energy strategic systems that can destroy enemy satellites and missiles.
The country has frequently made headlines for firing military lasers and dazzling devices at fighter jets and warships. However, in recent years, the development of high-energy laser weapons has attracted attention. China has developed multiple laser cannons and is said to be currently equipping warships with laser weapons.
Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said the People’s Liberation Army not only uses unmanned technology for actual combat missions, but also for non-combat activities such as logistics support and explosive ordnance disposal. he pointed out.
“In the past, these support missions may have been difficult and manpower-intensive, but with the introduction of intelligent equipment, they have become more efficient,” he told the Global Times. He emphasized that the adoption of unmanned systems is rapidly expanding as they can effectively reduce casualties and improve the performance of other military assets.
The EuroAsian Times has reported numerous times about China’s deployment of logistics and combat robots. For example, in November 2024, China unveiled Lynx, an advanced quadruped robot designed for harsh off-road environments.
According to the report, it can traverse extreme terrain at high speeds and perform stunts such as backflips and sharp turns, increasing its utility in real-world applications such as disaster response, combat situations, and exploration. These capabilities make it suitable for a variety of military tactical and logistics operations, from reconnaissance missions in complex environments to logistics support in combat zones.
In another example, the Chinese military deployed “robodogs” armed with machine guns at the China-Cambodia War Games in May 2024. Armed with a remotely controlled drone soldier with a machine gun mounted on its back, the RoboDog demonstrated excellent maneuverability, although no live fire tests were conducted.
Since President Xi Jinping took power in 2013, the People’s Liberation Army has undergone a breakthrough modernization drive, with the integration and automation of cutting-edge technologies in combat a key part of this effort. As evidenced by recent training exercises, this high-tech military force is expected to get bigger and better.
