Beijing – October 13, 2025 (Agencies) – The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force is undergoing a major transformation in battlefield doctrine, shifting from traditional close-quarters combat to beyond-visual-range (BVR) operations, enabled by the deployment of its new-generation Type 100 main battle tanks, according to a front-page report published by PLA Daily on Monday.
In the article titled Ground force fast tracks battlefield transformation, reshapes combat dimensions with technologies, the PLA Daily quoted Sun Yongming, a tank commander from an undisclosed brigade, who described the shift as a “dimensional leap” in armored warfare. “I never would have imagined that we, the armored forces, would one day be able to utilize optical, infrared and radar sensors to perceive the battlefield from long range and with full-circle awareness,” Sun remarked following a battalion-level tactical exercise.
The Type 100 tank, which made its public debut during China’s V-Day military parade on September 3, 2025, is equipped with advanced radar, electronic reconnaissance, and communications systems, allowing it to operate as a networked combat node. It can coordinate with long-range rocket launchers, drones, and electronic warfare assets, enabling precision strikes and real-time battlefield awareness far beyond traditional visual range.
Military expert Wang Yunfei told the Global Times that the Type 100 represents an “era-defining change” in ground warfare. “Instead of fighting alone at short range, the tank can now call in long-range fire support, share data across platforms, and operate in a joint combat network,” Wang explained. He emphasized that China is among the few nations to successfully integrate such high-powered systems into mobile ground platforms.
The PLA Daily report also highlighted the integration of army aviation helicopters, new-type rocket launchers, electronic warfare systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in recent exercises, showcasing the PLA’s evolving multi-domain operational capabilities.
A combined arms battalion commander, identified as Commander Yuan, noted that the new operational paradigm “has surpassed the confines of traditional land warfare” and reflects the PLA’s growing proficiency in integrated joint operations across air, land, cyberspace, and electromagnetic domains.
Historically, BVR combat has been the domain of air forces and navies, which operate large platforms such as warplanes and warships. Ground forces worldwide have faced technical limitations in adopting similar capabilities due to the challenges of integrating advanced sensors and command systems into compact, mobile platforms. China’s breakthrough with the Type 100 tank positions it as a global leader in next-generation land warfare technology.
The PLA’s modernization drive continues to reshape its strategic posture, with analysts noting that these advancements could significantly alter the balance of power in future high-tech conflicts.