China showcases robotic ‘dogs of war’ at Golden Dragon exercise

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s military showed off its machine gun equipped robotic battle ‘Dogs’ yesterday, at the start of its biggest ever drills with Cambodian forces, with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) chief saying that it will further boost the two countries’ military capability.

China unveiled its advanced military technology, including machine gun-equipped robot dogs, during the commencement of its largest-ever joint military exercise with Cambodian forces.

One of the highlights of the drills was the demonstration of the ‘Robodogs,’ remote-controlled four-legged robots equipped with automatic weaponry.

While handlers showcased the mobility of these robotic assets, their full capabilities, including shooting skills, were not displayed to the audience of journalists and military officers.

The Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF General Vong Pisen said yesterday that “This year’s annual Golden Dragon 2024 exercise is larger than in previous years, the content is deeper and the number of participating troops is more and in line with the scale of cooperation between the two armies, which is growing and deepening in all sectors.”

“It’s not only on the ground-level exercise, but it is also expanding to the sea and will continue to grow and expand to the Air Force and other specialised types of troops in the future between the Cambodian and Chinese armies,” he said.

“The main purpose of the exercise is to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership and cooperation, strengthen mutual political trust, serve the building of a common destiny of Cambodia and China in the new era and promote cooperation and exchange experiences between the two armies,” he said.

The remark was made during open ceremony of the joint military exercise, which commenced yesterday until May 30, at the Military Police Training Centre in Samakki Meanchey district in Kampong Chhnang and at Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk provinces.

The joint drills, named the sixth Golden Dragon 2024, involved over 2,000 Cambodian troops, 760 Chinese military personnel, and featured a wide array of military hardware, including 14 warships, helicopters, and armoured vehicles.

Gen Pisen emphasised the importance of the exercises in bolstering counter-terrorism capabilities, reaffirming Cambodia’s stance against foreign military bases on its territory.

The exercise has become a symbol of strong and inseparable cooperation between the two countries and the two armies, he said.

It’s important to enhance the capabilities and additional understanding of both armies, such as demonstrating capabilities, exchanging experiences, enhancing awareness of joint command and operational procedures, new tactics, techniques and skills, he said.

Major General Gao Xiucheng, Assistant Chief of Staff of PLA Southern Theater Command, said that the exercises encompass various scenarios, including live-fire drills, anti-terrorism operations, and humanitarian rescue missions, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of both armed forces in combat and crisis response situations.

Military cooperation between Cambodia and China is a very important component in the long-standing, close-friendship and good relationship between the two countries and in all areas of defence, he said.

Both armies will train on various skills to be able to work together in any difficult situation, Maj​ Gen Gao said.

He noted that in the future, the two armies will have a lot of work to do together.

“Joint tasks in the future include rescuing victims of disasters, cracking down on terrorism, clearing mines or unexploded ordnances and transnational crimes involving citizens of both countries,” Maj​ Gen Gao added.

Thong Mengdavid, Geopolitical Analyst and Lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), said yesterday that the Cambodia-China military drills can enhance Cambodia’s military capacity through various means, such as improving military skills and capacity in operations for counter-terrorism, disaster relief, and more.

It is not uncommon for Chinese troops to demonstrate sophisticated weapons during exercises with the Cambodian military, he said.

The armed robot dogs can also serve in life-threatening operations, such as a counter-terrorism, drug trafficking and other illegal trafficking activities, he said.

“Military modernisation is also one of Cambodia’s defence strategies to enable the Cambodian military to have the capacity, capability and strength in military operations to protect and maintain social stability and security,” he said.

“In addition, Cambodia may consider requesting military and technical assistance and additional training in robotics, satellite and geospatial analysis,” Mengdavid added.

The drills follow a recent visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Cambodia in April, signalling a continued commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

As China expands its military footprint in Southeast Asia, the joint exercises serve as a demonstration of its growing military capabilities and strategic partnerships in the region.

The Chinese side reiterated support for Cambodia’s development path and for efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and firm opposition to external interference in Cambodia’s internal affairs.

Cambodia and China previously carried out the drill in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023. In 2021 and 2022, the event was cancelled owing to the COVID-19 epidemic.