China Reveals New Robotic “Dogs of War”

By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

In a display of military prowess, the Chinese armed forces unveiled their latest addition to the battlefield – robotic “Dogs of War” – during their largest-ever joint exercises with Cambodian forces. This development has raised eyebrows in the United States, as China continues to expand its influence in Southeast Asia.

Cambodia, a long-time ally of China, has been the recipient of substantial Chinese investments. The U.S. is increasingly apprehensive about China’s intentions to leverage a Cambodian naval base, currently undergoing upgrades, to broaden its regional influence.

The joint military exercises, known as the Golden Dragon, are being conducted at a secluded training center in central Kampong Chhnang province and off the coast of Preah Sihanouk province. The 15-day operation involves over 2,000 troops, including 760 from the Chinese military, 14 warships (three of which are Chinese), two helicopters, and 69 armored vehicles and tanks. The exercises encompass live-fire drills, anti-terrorism operations, and humanitarian rescue missions.

The Chinese military’s robotic dogs, equipped with automatic rifles, were the highlight of the Golden Dragon exercises. These remote-controlled quadrupeds are designed for various applications, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and potentially, remote engagement. The demonstration of these ‘robodogs’ was limited to their mobility capabilities, with their firing skills kept under wraps. However, the mere presence of these machines on the battlefield signifies a new era in warfare, where autonomous systems could potentially take center stage.

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The Ream naval base, located near the Cambodian city of Sihanoukville, has been a point of contention. The U.S. believes that Ream could provide China with a strategic advantage in the Gulf of Thailand, near the contested South China Sea, which China claims in large part. Cambodian officials, however, denied last year that the newly constructed 363-meter pier at Ream was designed to accommodate aircraft carriers.