China has achieved a significant breakthrough in military communications technology with the development of the world’s first mobile military-grade 5G base station, designed specifically for battlefield deployment. The system, jointly developed by China Mobile Communications Group and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), represents a major advance in military communications capabilities.
According to research published in the Telecommunications Science journal on December 17, the new system can support up to 10,000 users within a three-kilometer radius, maintaining stable connections even in challenging battlefield conditions. The project team, led by senior engineer Hou Jie from PLA Unit 31567, has demonstrated the system’s ability to deliver impressive performance metrics, including a total throughput of 10 gigabits per second and latency under 15 milliseconds, even when forces are moving at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour through complex terrain.
A key innovation of the system is its drone-based relay platform, which can be mounted on military vehicles. The platform houses three to four drones that can alternate duties as aerial base stations, with automatic handover capabilities and the ability to return to the vehicle for recharging. This solution effectively addresses the challenge of maintaining communications in areas without ground infrastructure or when satellite signals are compromised.
The system has been specifically designed to overcome common military communication challenges, including electromagnetic interference from both enemy and friendly forces. The team has developed user terminals capable of transmitting data at up to 400 megawatts under electromagnetic suppression while maintaining efficient energy consumption.
The development leverages China’s extensive civilian 5G infrastructure, which as of November 2024 includes approximately 4.2 million base stations—the largest such network globally. The military system incorporates modified versions of civilian automatic station opening tools, enabling seamless switching between aerial and ground-based stations.
This advancement positions China at the forefront of military communications technology, particularly in the context of unmanned warfare. The system’s ability to coordinate thousands of autonomous combat platforms, including drones and robot dogs, could prove crucial in future military operations where unmanned systems are expected to outnumber human soldiers.
The achievement stands in contrast to similar efforts by the United States, which launched its own military 5G initiative in 2020. The U.S. program, despite collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Verizon, has reportedly faced technical challenges, with their 5G. MIL system currently achieving higher latency rates of up to 30 milliseconds over much shorter distances.
This development marks a significant milestone in the militarization of 5G technology and could have far-reaching implications for the future of warfare, particularly in the domain of autonomous combat systems.
