China's armed forces are testing humanoid robots against combat requirements and studying how the machines might operate alongside soldiers, according to a review of more than 100 military procurement notices, patents, academic studies, government records, and defense-company materials.
Military researchers cited in the analysis believe hardware for building-clearing missions could be ready in five to ten years. In August 2025, researchers at the National University of Defense Technology in Xi'an published a study simulating a team of six combat robots—a mix of humanoids, robot dogs, and unmanned vehicles—sweeping through an enemy-occupied building room by room while coordinating with ground troops.
The People's Liberation Army's official newspaper, PLA Daily, called on researchers to move humanoid technology from laboratories onto military training grounds for use as robotic combatants, following humanoid robot competitions held in Beijing last month.
China's defense establishment is accelerating military robotics research and planning for eventual wartime deployment, though no armed humanoid has been detected in service with an operational PLA unit.
Hardware and Procurement
In June 2025, a PLA procurement document showed the military had allocated approximately $300,000 for a system to gather and label camera, radar, and motion data enabling humanoids to learn to cross varied terrain.
State-owned manufacturer Norinco produces the Fuxi humanoid, designed for sentry duty, all-weather reconnaissance, patrols, and remote human operation. Chinese firms shipped approximately 95 percent of the world's humanoids in 2025, giving the PLA access to advanced hardware. By comparison, the U.S. Army is pursuing similar capabilities through its xTechHumanoid competition, offering prizes up to $490,000 and follow-on contracts worth $1.25 million, though the American robotics industry remains behind China.
Regulatory and Humanitarian Concerns
China's defense ministry stated in March that artificial intelligence-powered weapons should remain under human control. However, the International Committee of the Red Cross has warned that autonomous weapons may not be able to recognize signs of surrender. Neither Beijing's policy statement nor Norinco's marketing materials address how machines would distinguish combatants from civilians.
The U.S. has moved to bar new Chinese humanoids from the market over supply chain and security concerns.
