Footage broadcast on Chinese state television has revealed new training exercises featuring unmanned ground vehicles armed with rocket launchers.
According to observer of Chinese military developments Jesus Roman, the exercises involved an armored infantry squad from the 83rd Group Army, part of the Central Theater Command. The unit conducted semi-urban assault drills using Type 08 (ZBL-08) infantry fighting vehicles in combination with newly fielded ground drones.
The footage showed unmanned ground systems equipped with rocket launchers, grenade-type weapons, and, unusually, loudspeakers mounted on their chassis. The drones advanced in coordination with infantry units that dismounted from Type 08 vehicles, providing additional firepower and support in complex terrain.
The systems were remotely controlled using first-person-view (FPV) goggles and handheld manipulators, a setup similar to the methods widely used in small unmanned aerial systems. Chinese operators maneuvered the robots from protected positions, using the platforms to augment conventional armored and infantry formations.
The exercise simulated an assault on fortified positions, with the drones moving ahead of infantry and armor to engage or suppress targets.
While details on the new systems remain limited, their inclusion in a state-run broadcast indicates Beijing’s intent to showcase progress in fielding robotic assets to support the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF). By pairing unmanned ground systems with the ZBL-08 infantry fighting vehicle, the PLA is experimenting with manned-unmanned teaming in dense terrain where direct firepower and mobility are critical.
The 83rd Group Army, part of the Central Theater Command, is tasked with training for complex, high-intensity scenarios, including semi-urban and defensive operations. The integration of these robotic vehicles demonstrates an emphasis on leveraging emerging technologies to increase firepower and reduce risk to dismounted troops.