China stages drone and counter-drone warfare demonstration

China has staged a drone and counter-drone warfare demonstration with a full-spectrum of unmanned systems in a move underscoring its role as a leading global drone supplier, state media reported on July 21, 2025. The exercise simulated an operation on “seizure and control of critical border locations” in a testing ground in Inner Mongolia. Many domestically made systems were deployed in live operations across six phases of the futuristic battlefield scenario: reconnaissance, AI planning, infiltration, aerial attack, elimination, and anti-access, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Those taken to the sky included intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) UAVs, long- and short-range loitering munitions, unmanned helicopters, as well as tactical FPV drones. Ground equipment like smart command and control systems and air defence systems against drones made their show, too.