How is China’s military learning from the Ukraine war? A drill gives clues, analysts say
- CCTV shows brigade using drones to counter missile-equipped rivals in a drill
- The conflict with Russia has motivated many militaries to modernise, defence expert says
The exercise conducted by a combined armed brigade from the People’s Liberation Army’s 82nd Army Group in Hebei province involved the use of reconnaissance drones and radars to counter rivals equipped with portable anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.
In a programme aired by state broadcaster CCTV about a week ago, group commander Liu Chen said the participants learned from their mistakes to prevail.
“[Our troops] lost in the first round of the war game,” Liu said.
“We immediately deployed the portable anti-aircraft missile systems supported by the radars, and that helped us to turn the tide successfully.”
In the exercises, Type WZ-10 armed helicopter squadrons provided air cover for dozens of heavy Type 099A tanks, Type 07 self-propelled artillery and Type 04 infantry fighting vehicles, while the HJ-9 Red Arrow anti-tank missile system and HQ-17 Red Flag air defence missile system were supported by radar scouts.
