China unveils world’s first MILITARY-PROOF 5G system to power 10,000 battlefield robots

By kevinhughes // 2025-01-16

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China unveils the world's first military-grade mobile 5G base station, developed by China Mobile Communications Group and the PLA, designed for battlefield use to enable seamless communication for up to 10,000 military robots and drones within a 3-kilometer radius.
The system offers high-speed, low-latency, and ultra-secure data exchange, maintaining 10 Gbps throughput and <15ms latency even in challenging terrains or under electromagnetic interference, supporting PLA units moving at speeds up to 80 km/h.
Drones act as aerial base stations, mounted on military vehicles, ensuring continuous 5G coverage by autonomously switching and recharging, solving issues like disconnections and slow speeds.
Advanced countermeasures combat electromagnetic interference, with user-side terminals transmitting data at ultra-high power (400 MW) while maintaining low energy consumption for sustained operations.
China's military 5G system leverages civilian 5G infrastructure, enabling rapid switching between drones and ground base stations, positioning the PLA as a leader in unmanned combat capabilities and outpacing U.S. efforts in military 5G development.

In a groundbreaking leap for military technology, China has unveiled the world's first mobile 5G base station designed specifically for battlefield use. Developed jointly by China Mobile Communications Group and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), this cutting-edge system promises to revolutionize modern warfare by enabling seamless communication for up to 10,000 military robots and drones within a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) radius. The system, detailed in a peer-reviewed paper published on Dec. 17 in the Chinese journal Telecommunications Science, offers unprecedented high-speed, low-latency and ultra-secure data exchange capabilities. Even in the most challenging conditions – such as mountainous or urban terrains – the system maintains an uninterrupted throughput of 10 gigabits per second and a latency of less than 15 milliseconds. This ensures reliable connectivity for PLA units advancing at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour). The development of military-grade 5G is a critical step in China's ambitious plan to build the world's largest unmanned military force. The PLA envisions a future where drones, robotic dogs and other unmanned combat platforms outnumber human soldiers on the battlefield. However, existing military communication systems have struggled to handle the massive data demands of such large-scale robotic operations. (Related: China is two years away from deploying KILLER ROBOTS on the battlefield.) The new 5G system addresses this challenge head-on. Unlike civilian 5G networks, which rely on fixed infrastructure, the military version is designed to operate in environments where ground base stations are absent, or satellite signals are compromised. To overcome the limitations of traditional antennas to avoid obstacles, the system employs a fleet of drones.

Drones as aerial base stations

The innovative solution involves mounting a platform on military vehicles that houses three to four drones. These drones act as aerial base stations, taking turns to maintain continuous 5G coverage. When one drone's battery runs low, it hands over its duties to another and returns to the vehicle for recharging. This autonomous system has been rigorously tested by the PLA and has proven effective in solving issues like frequent disconnections and slow speeds, ensuring "safe, reliable and rapid deployment." One of the most significant threats to military 5G is electromagnetic interference, which can originate from both enemy forces and friendly units operating in the same area. To combat this, the PLA has equipped the system with advanced countermeasures. Small communication terminals on the user side can transmit data at ultra-high-power levels – up to 400 megawatts – even under electromagnetic suppression, while maintaining low energy consumption for sustained operation. The military 5G system also leverages China's vast civilian 5G infrastructure, which boasts nearly 4.2 million base stations as of November 2024. By integrating civilian automation tools, the PLA has achieved rapid and seamless switching between drones and ground base stations, a process that can be completed "in the blink of an eye." "The operation of such a vast network necessarily requires powerful automation tools and means, among which automatic station opening technology is one. It can autonomously complete core network base station data production, data loading, baseline parameter configuration, and other tasks," the research team wrote. While China's military 5G system is ready for deployment, the United States is still grappling with technical challenges in its own 5G militarization efforts. In 2020, the U.S. launched what it called the largest militarization campaign for 5G technology, but progress has been slow. Lockheed Martin and Verizon have developed a demonstration system, the 5G.MIL, which records a latency of up to 30 milliseconds when transmitting data between two Humvee vehicles 100 meters apart. While this meets U.S. military standards, it falls short of the PLA's more stringent requirements. China's military 5G breakthrough marks a significant milestone in the evolution of modern warfare. By enabling large-scale deployment of intelligent war machines, the system positions the PLA at the forefront of unmanned combat capabilities. As the world watches, this technology could redefine the balance of power on future battlefields, where robots and drones may soon outnumber human soldiers. With its robust performance, adaptability to harsh conditions, and integration of cutting-edge civilian technologies, China's military 5G system is not just a technological achievement – it's a strategic advantage that could shape the future of global military operations. Follow CommunistChina.news for more news about the military advancements of China. Watch the video below about China beginning its mass production of AI robots for warehouses and stores. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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Drones as aerial base stations

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