The report prepared by the US-based CSIS revealed how the Chinese People’s Liberation Army systematically examined the Ukraine war. The report examined more than 90 military studies from 45 different sources published between July 2022 and August 2026. It was stated that Chinese researchers described the war as a “living textbook” and evaluated 2024 as the “first year of the world drone war”. According to the report, while new warfare techniques enter Chinese military publications in an average of four months, their reflection on training, weapons production and troop structure is usually completed in a year.
THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR HAS BECOME A TESTING AREA
It was determined that the Chinese army examined in detail Operation Spider Web, which Ukraine organized against Russian strategic bombers on June 1, 2025. Chinese military experts considered the launch of small drones from points close to air bases, damaging large warplanes, as a major threat to their own bases. In the Chinese exercise held in October 2025, defense against drone attacks managed by more than 20 operators was tested. The systems used detected the drones’ radio signals and compared them with a database of more than 800 commercial models. China is also examining Russia’s electronic jamming-resistant fibre-optic cable drones, Ukraine’s unmanned vessel attacks in the Black Sea, and target transfer between reconnaissance drones and artillery units.
NEW MILITARY SCHOOLS AND DRONE UNITS
Beijing’s work was not limited to just reports. In May 2025, three military universities were restructured. The University of the Ground Forces Combat Classes in Hefei combined armored units with artillery and air defense training. The new military training programs in Chongqing included command and control of unmanned systems and unmanned equipment engineering. Militia drone units were also formed in Xinjiang. In the defense industry, CETC’s Tianqiong drone defense system, NORINCO’s Hurricane 3000 high-power microwave weapon and CASIC’s LW-60 laser system came to the fore. In January 2026, the National University of Defense Technology of China introduced swarm technology, where a single soldier can manage more than 200 drones with the support of artificial intelligence. The Chinese army also conducted exercises against unmanned targets at sea with KVD002 armed unmanned aerial vehicles.
CHINA’S NEW WAR STRATEGY
Chinese military researchers evaluate not only Ukraine, but also Iranian-sourced drone technologies, air defense conflicts in the Middle East, Gaza and the Caucasus wars. Chinese military publications highlight the use of expensive air defense missiles with low-cost drones, electronic warfare, satellite communications and mass unmanned attacks. Beijing is also exploring the military need for its own low-orbit satellite networks, based on Starlink connections used in Ukraine. A 2025 review by the US-based Naval Analysis Center revealed that China is exploring the use of drone swarms in possible blockade and landing operations, especially against Taiwan. CSIS researchers also emphasized that China has accumulated military experience without fighting, but has not yet been able to test its rapid decision-making and improvisational abilities that emerge on the real front to the same extent.
