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China Shows Single Soldier Controlling 200-Drone Swarm with AI

Published: 6:00pm, 23 Jan 2026, the People's Liberation Army announced a single soldier can control a swarm of 200 drones, with CCTV footage showing a single operator managing the salvo.
The PLA described the change as a shift from per-drone piloting to effect-based control, presenting the swarm as increasing saturation and jamming resistance while altering battlefield economics with mass-produced inexpensive drones.
Technical briefings showed algorithms enabling task division and formation flying, with researchers saying extensive offline training with simulators and actual flights built collective autonomy for the swarm.
Analysts warn defenders could face interceptor depletion and reprioritised spending as mass-produced drones enable saturation attacks, so electronic warfare and layered anti-drone systems remain essential countermeasures.
Field reports and trials underscore both promise and limits of current countermeasures as directed-energy weapons neutralize drones but depend on optics and atmosphere, while high-power microwave guns face humidity and friend-or-foe discrimination issues.

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AI Takes Flight: Chinese Military's Advances in Drone Swarm Warfare

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Chinese Army Showcases 200-Drone Swarm Controlled By Single Operator

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+2 Reposted by 2 other sources

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