China's 'Robo-Wolves': Drones With Rifles Change Warfare

China Deploys 'Robo-Wolves' with Rifles and Grenade Launchers in Frontline Drills

BEIJING, 2025-10-09 - China has officially unveiled a new type of weaponized robotic units, named "robo-wolves," which have taken part in recent drills together with human soldiers. These 70-kilogram quadrupedal robotic systems, fitted with rifles and grenade launchers, mark a notable step forward in the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) incorporation of unmanned ground vehicles into traditional combat tactics.

The deployment, captured by China Central Television (CCTV) on July 16, 2025, during exercises involving the PLA's 76th Group Army, displayed these robotic platforms operating in simulated battle conditions. First presented at Airshow China 2024 by the China South Industries Group Corporation, the units are built for a range of combat roles, including armed assault, reconnaissance, logistical transport, and direct-support missions.

Operational Doctrine and Capabilities

During the maneuvers, which unfolded across hilly, grassy terrain, the robo-wolves conducted reconnaissance, took part in precision strikes, and backed coordinated breakthroughs. Footage showed soldiers, equipped with QBZ-191 rifles and portable rocket launchers, moving in formation alongside their robotic counterparts. Some robo-wolves were set up for direct combat with weaponry, while others carried surveillance gear.

Key operational features include:

• Integrated Mobility: The robots proved capable of negotiating complex ground, climbing and keeping pace with infantry units, simulating a synchronized advance.
• Remote Command and Control: Operators employing FPV (first-person view) drones, often hidden in ghillie suits, directed both reconnaissance and simulated "suicide attack" runs, demonstrating a layered, networked approach to unmanned systems.
• Multi-Role Application: Beyond direct fire, the platforms are intended for scouting, transport, and support, boosting combat effectiveness across varied environments such as urban settings, high-altitude plateaus, and mountainous regions.

Psychological Warfare and Strategic Implications

Chinese military analysts argue these ground-based robotic systems could have a profound psychological effect on opponents. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military analyst, told The Global Times that "When soldiers face relentless robotic units, it may lead to stress and even thoughts of surrender." This view highlights a strategic aim that goes beyond pure kinetic action, indicating that the psychological dimension of robotic warfare is a significant factor for the PLA.

The focus on networked formations and human-robot teaming lies at the heart of the PLA's modernization drive. Hu Te, a commander involved in the recent exercises, mentioned that the drill was his first time leading the robo-wolves, underscoring a budding yet quickly developing operational doctrine. His goal is to "integrate with humans" the newly commissioned unmanned equipment within primary-level companies.

This development follows a broader trend of growing global interest in unmanned military technology, as shown by unrelated reports of the U.K. Royal Navy testing underwater robots for sabotage counter-measures in June 2025, and joint drills between South Korea and the U.S. in March 2025 that employed drones and robotic dogs against WMD threats. While "robot dogs" have appeared in military scenarios before, China's official unveiling of armed "robo-wolves" marks a clear shift toward more direct, aggressive use of quadrupedal platforms on the front line.

The latest deployment by China represents a major stride in the worldwide race for autonomous military capabilities, potentially reshaping conventional battlefield dynamics and introducing intricate ethical and operational questions for future warfare.