Chinese PLA Completes Participation in Russia’s Center-2026 Exercise with Type 99A Tanks and Unmanned Systems

Dragon Media News Desk

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has completed its participation in the multinational Center-2026 military exercise at Russia’s Chebarkul training ground. Chinese troops began returning home after the joint drills concluded in Chelyabinsk on Friday, the PLA’s official newspaper reported.

The contingent was deployed from the PLA Central Theater Command and travelled to Russia by road, rail and air. The exercise covered intelligence and reconnaissance, command and control, fire strikes and comprehensive support.

During field training, Chinese troops practised three-dimensional reconnaissance, integrated information and firepower operations, guided entry, attacks from multiple directions, and rapid pursuit and elimination of targets. Images released by Chinese military media showed Type 99A main battle tanks taking part in the exercise.

Unmanned systems also featured prominently. According to China Central Television, drone swarms provided ground units with precise information on targets. Tactical drones, attack helicopters and unmanned ground vehicles worked together to strike simulated frontline targets. Small units also conducted successive fire assaults from multiple directions.

Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping said the exercise gave participating countries an opportunity to learn from one another’s experience. Along with Russia, Pakistan and some Central Asian participants had gained experience through years of counterterrorism operations, he said. Joint training could help the militaries exchange lessons and improve their capabilities, Song added.

Song said recent conflicts had shown that large numbers of drones and precision-guided weapons posed growing risks to traditional armoured formations. Studying the challenges and losses faced by tanks and other armoured vehicles in recent conflicts could help the PLA improve its ability to respond to asymmetric threats, he said.

The use of Type 99A tanks alongside drones and unmanned ground vehicles also reflected closer coordination between crewed platforms and unmanned systems, Song said. Unmanned equipment can conduct reconnaissance and higher-risk missions ahead of troops, reducing risks to personnel and crewed vehicles. It can also extend the surveillance and targeting range of armoured formations, he added.

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, preparations for the exercise took into account what Russia described as its experience in the war in Ukraine, as well as the characteristics of modern armed conflicts. The PLA said the high-intensity drills in unfamiliar terrain and a multinational setting tested the Chinese troops’ capacity for long-range strategic deployment, cross-border logistical support and joint operational command.

After the exercise, Chinese troops began returning from Chebarkul by air and rail. The PLA said they would review their experience in multinational operational planning, joint field operations, long-distance cross-border deployment and operational coordination after returning to their units.