A robot dog participates in a nuclear, biological and chemical defense and emergency rescue exercise conducted by a brigade attached to the 73rd Group Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army at an undisclosed date in a training ground. Photo: Screenshot from China Central Television

Multiple types of advanced equipment, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotic dogs and explosive ordnance disposal robots, were deployed in a recent defense exercise conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), as an expert predicts that drones are to see more applications in all aspects of combat.

A brigade attached to the PLA 73rd Group Army recently carried out a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) defense and emergency rescue exercise at its comprehensive training ground, featuring the deployment of UAVs, robotic dogs and explosive ordnance disposal robots, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Thursday.

The brigade fully explored training methods integrating technology and networked systems, and combined simulation and practical exercises in creating a multi-role intelligent training field, CCTV reported.

"Be it the advancement of simulation training or the wide deployment of unmanned equipment, both create new competitive avenues for us," Qi Huali, a member of the brigade, said in the report.

"Simulation training enhances the coordination among various combat elements, and we have improved and optimized the integration of manned and unmanned tactics, and then applied the best combat strategies to exercises for validation," Qi said.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that unmanned equipment is increasingly being utilized, including supportive missions shown in the drills.

Drones have significant capabilities, as they can reduce human casualties and increase effectiveness of combat equipment, Song said.

According to earlier CCTV reports, the PLA utilized robotic dogs during the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2024 joint exercise for reconnaissance and attack roles. In the China-Singapore Exercise Cooperation-2024 joint army exercise, the PLA employed various unmanned systems, including a wall-climbing robot, to assist with reconnaissance and strike missions. 

Additionally, during the China-Nepal Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint army drill, a new ball-shaped reconnaissance drone was introduced.

At Airshow China 2024, a Chinese arms firm revealed a type of quadrupedal robot dubbed the robo-wolf. Multiple robo-wolves can operate like a pack of wolves in combat.

The integration of AI and intelligentization is becoming a growing trend in defense, Song said, anticipating that AI and other emerging technologies will be incorporated into military equipment in the future.