China’s state broadcaster CCTV-7 has been showing People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers conducting infantry exercises in rugged terrain—featuring, notably, a trooper equipped with a rudimentary unpowered exoskeleton frame.
The broadcast, part of a segment highlighting a unit of the PLA’s 76th Group Army, shows troops advancing across rocky highland ground under simulated combat conditions. The televised segment refers to the detachment as a “model anti-Japanese guerrilla battalion,” a legacy title preserved in Chinese military tradition. Troops in the training exercise were shown operating with heavy machine guns and maneuvering under simulated live fire.
What stood out in the footage was a single soldier advancing while wearing what appears to be a basic, load-bearing exoskeleton frame—likely intended to reduce strain on the lower back and legs during long marches or when carrying heavy equipment. The device, visible as a passive brace attached to the back and legs, is presumed to be an unpowered support system.
Exoskeletons and similar assistive devices are being developed to address the enduring logistical challenge of carrying weapons, body armor, communications gear, and ammunition—often exceeding 30 to 40 kilograms per soldier.
Not every soldier is physically able to carry a crew-served weapon or ammunition over long distances, especially in mountainous or arid environments. The goal is to reduce fatigue and injury, and possibly extend combat effectiveness.
Exoskeleton programs are not new to the global defense community. The U.S. Army, for example, has tested the ONYX system—an AI-powered, lower-body exoskeleton developed by Lockheed Martin. ONYX was designed primarily for logistics personnel and support troops operating in rear areas, such as artillery crews and drone operators. Its objective was to increase endurance, reduce musculoskeletal injuries, and maintain combat readiness during prolonged deployments.
China has similarly been developing powered and unpowered systems aimed at augmenting human performance. Kestrel Defense, a military technology developer, has introduced a new powered exoskeleton specifically tailored to drone operators and battlefield electronics teams. The suit reportedly includes integrated support for launching and controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) directly from the exoskeleton’s framework.
Images circulating on Chinese social media earlier this year showed a soldier using a powered exoskeleton with what appeared to be an arm-mounted interface for UAV deployment. These systems, while still in early stages of fielding, reflect China’s growing focus on integrating robotics and wearable tech into its force structure.
Despite advancements, practical deployment of exoskeletons in frontline combat units remains limited. Most prototypes are either unpowered, acting as load-distribution frames, or are powered but constrained by battery life, weight, and environmental limitations. To date, powered models have generally been restricted to logistics roles or tasks involving repetitive motion under heavy load, such as carrying artillery shells or repairing machinery.
The use of even a basic unpowered exoskeleton by a PLA infantryman suggests that the Chinese military is actively evaluating the feasibility of such systems in real tactical conditions—not just controlled lab environments. If successful, such gear may be expanded across units operating in physically demanding settings, such as mountain infantry brigades or airborne troops.
The clip aired by CCTV-7 did not specify the exact model or origin of the exoskeleton shown, nor did it include commentary from military officials regarding its performance. However, the inclusion of the device in what appears to be a high-profile exercise for national television suggests an intention to showcase innovation and modernization efforts within the PLA’s ground forces.
As observed in previous Chinese defense programs, televised exposure often precedes broader rollout or export offerings. China has in the past used state media coverage to signal capability development in advance of formal adoption or production scaling.