Shubhangi Palve
China’s military and telecommunications industries are moving closer together as technology becomes a central part of modern warfare.
What was once the domain of tanks, aircraft, and missiles is now increasingly shaped by networks, data, and digital connectivity.
For Beijing, the expansion of fifth-generation (5G) wireless systems is not only an economic driver but also a foundation for future combat operations.
A New Tool For The Battlefield
In late 2024, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), working with the ‘China Mobile Communications’ group, introduced what they described as the world’s first mobile 5G base station designed specifically for battlefield use.
According to ‘South China Morning Post’, the unit is built to operate under combat conditions and can serve up to 10,000 users within a three-kilometre radius. It delivers fast, secure, and stable connections even in challenging environments where communications are often most vulnerable.
This military grade system reflects a broader shift. China is building digital infrastructure at a speed and scale unmatched by any other country.
By August 2025, the country had deployed about 4.49 million 5G base stations, meaning more than one-third of all its mobile sites now run on 5G.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has set a target of 4.5 million base stations by the end of 2025 and aims for 85% user penetration by 2027.
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