Cambodia and China Showcase Robot Dogs in Joint Military Exercises

Cambodia and China have conducted their largest joint military exercise to date, known Golden Dragon drills, which featured advanced unmanned vehicles, including machine gun-wielding robot dogs. The 15-day exercise took place in central Kampong Chhnang Province and off the coast of Preah Sihanouk Province, involving approximately 2,000 troops, including 760 Chinese soldiers.

The robotic dogs, equipped with back-mounted machine guns, were a major highlight of the exercises, demonstrating their impressive mobility to Cambodian military officials and journalists. Cambodian armed forces commander-in-chief, Vong Pisen, praised the robotic dogs, stating that they would 'enhance the capabilities' of both armies in combating terrorism.

The exercise featured a host of advanced unmanned vehicles, including drones, and underscored the increasing role of robotics and unmanned technologies in modern warfare. The event was primarily funded by China, further indicating the deepening military cooperation between the two countries.

Why this matters: The joint military exercises between Cambodia and China, featuring advanced technologies like robot dogs, have significant implications for regional security and global power dynamics. This deepening military cooperation could lead to a shift in the balance of power in the region, potentially sparking concerns among neighboring countries and global powers.

Despite the display of camaraderie and technological sharing, underlying geopolitical tensions were evident. The Ream naval base near Sihanoukville, which has been under significant renovation with Chinese assistance, hosted two Chinese warships in December, marking the first visit since the expansion began. Washington has expressed growing concern over these developments, fearing that Ream could serve as a strategic foothold for China near the disputed South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

The robotic dogs, reportedly made by the Chinese company Unitree, are available online for thousands of U.S. dollars. The use of weapon-wielding machines is not new in the defense industry, with the U.S. Marine Corps testing a rocket launcher mounted on a robotic goat last year. The demonstration in Cambodia highlighted the growing role of robotics in military strategy and the ongoing race between global powers to dominate this frontier.

The first Golden Dragon drills took place in 2016, and since then, the scale and complexity of the exercises have increased. In early 2017, Cambodia canceled the Angkor Sentinel joint exercise with U.S. forces, which had been conducted for seven years, signaling a shift towards closer military ties with China.

The Golden Dragon drills highlight the deepening military cooperation between Cambodia and China, with a focus on showcasing their advanced military capabilities through the use of robotics and unmanned technologies.

Key Takeaways

• Cambodia and China conduct largest joint military exercise, featuring robot dogs and drones.
• Exercise highlights deepening military cooperation between Cambodia and China.
• Robot dogs, made by Chinese company Unitree, demonstrate mobility and combat capabilities.
• Exercise sparks concerns over regional security and global power dynamics.
• China's involvement in Cambodia's Ream naval base raises concerns over strategic foothold.