China's state broadcaster has offered a rare glimpse into PLA war gaming, featuring a simulated air combat between Chinese and French multi-role fighters. This year marks the first time the entire People's Liberation Army and People's Armed Police Force have promoted such exercises on a large scale.
China's state broadcaster, CCTV, reported on Friday that this year was the first in which the entire People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police Force promoted pilot war-gaming on a large scale. These exercises are usually highly classified, but the report highlighted one held in Xuchang, Henan province, attended by 20 units from across the military and its academies. Other war games involved army and submarine forces.
In the footage, two PLA Air Force officers stood before a board depicting an air combat scenario between Chinese and foreign forces. On the left, under 'task,' were 'J-16 x8,' referring to eight 4.5-generation fighters built by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. On the right, under 'threat,' were 'Rafales x6,' denoting six French-made Rafale fighters operated by countries including France, Egypt, and India.
The report underscores how such war gaming enhances operational capabilities by simulating confrontations between Chinese and foreign forces. Keywords also reference AI combat models, the J-10C fighter, Jiangsu province, and the National University of Defence Technology, though the focus remains on this air force simulation.