China is using the war in Ukraine as a systematic testing ground to refine its own military capabilities, according to an analysis by researchers at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Researchers Lilly Min-Chen Lee and Kateryna Bondar state that the Ukrainian battlefield functions as a practical learning arena for the Chinese military’s developmental processes, Nettavisen reported.
China analyzes Russian military failures
Beijing is closely monitoring the conflict to avoid the strategic errors made by the Kremlin. Marc Lanteigne, an associate professor at UiT, told Nettavisen that China expected a rapid Russian victory, and the failure to achieve this has created internal uncertainty regarding potential operations against Taiwan.
Lanteigne noted that China weighs the experiences of both Ukraine and Russia, though it likely derives more lessons from Russian mistakes. He said China's most important lesson is that increased defense budgets and superior weaponry are ineffective if the underlying strategy fails.
Katja Levy, a professor at NTNU, added that the conflict demonstrates how wars often last significantly longer than an aggressor anticipates. She cited experiences from both Ukraine and Iran as evidence of this trend.
Drone warfare and mass production
CSIS researchers report that China has categorized its observations into offensive and defensive requirements. On the offensive side, the conclusion is that massive volume serves as the foundation for modern drone warfare.
Defensively, China is focusing on protecting warships from sea drones and deep infiltration attacks. Researchers have also concluded that using expensive air defense missiles against cheap attack drones is inefficient, suggesting that drones should be used for defensive purposes instead.
Did you know?
The Chinese company DJI sells an enormous number of civilian drones globally. Analysts suggest these massive civilian production lines could be immediately repurposed for military use during a crisis.
China sets goals for satellite network development
The success of the Starlink satellite network in Ukraine has prompted China to set goals for developing its own similar system. This technological shift aims to ensure connectivity and communication during high-intensity conflicts.
While military drone production is currently lower than civilian levels, the ability to scale quickly remains a key strategic interest for Beijing.
Integration of drones and armor
During the “Center-2026” military exercises held in the turn of September and October, the People’s Liberation Army utilized over 600 aerial drones and 60 unmanned ground vehicles. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), these exercises were used to demonstrate lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
The ISW reports that China is focusing on how older armored vehicles can work alongside drones to increase survival rates on modern battlefields. However, the think tank noted that China’s planning for a potential Taiwan conflict likely differs from the prolonged positional warfare seen in Ukraine.
As a result, China may integrate specific elements of Russian combat methods into its own operational concepts rather than copying them directly, according to ISW.
Strategic and reputational risks
The economic cost of the war remains a primary concern for Chinese decision-makers. Professor Katja Levy pointed out that wars are extremely expensive, noting the massive sums Russia has spent.
Levy also highlighted the risk of international isolation. She stated that a war over Taiwan would severely damage China’s reputation, which Beijing has attempted to build by positioning itself as a stable international actor in contrast to a United States characterized by an unpredictable president.
How China uses the Ukraine war for training
How is China using the Ukraine war for military training?
China is using the conflict as a testing arena to observe drone effectiveness and the integration of unmanned systems with traditional armor. The People’s Liberation Army recently used over 600 drones in exercises to test these lessons.
What is China’s stance on drone costs in defense?
Chinese researchers have concluded that using expensive air defense missiles to intercept cheap attack drones is not cost-effective. They are looking into using drones defensively to counter other drones.
Why does the conflict affect China’s view on Taiwan?
The failure of Russia to achieve a quick victory has created uncertainty in Beijing about how to avoid a similar long-term conflict. Additionally, experts suggest a war could cause China to become a pariah state, damaging its global reputation for stability.
The Institute for the Study of War continues to monitor the integration of these combat methods into Chinese operational concepts.
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