Exercises Military Diplomacy

China-Mongolia 'Steppe Partner-2026' Army Joint Training Closing Ceremony Held

中蒙“草原伙伴-2026”陆军联合训练举行结束仪式

PLA Daily (解放军报) 6 June 2026

Summary

The China-Mongolia 'Steppe Partner-2026' joint training concluded June 6 at a joint training base in Inner Mongolia with live-fire drills involving tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery, air defense units, and unmanned systems including robotic dogs and UAVs operating alongside manned forces in coordinated clearing operations. The exercise documents a deliberate Chinese effort to use bilateral training with a smaller, less-capable partner as a demonstration platform: Mongolian forces observed and handled Chinese unmanned systems and exoskeletons rather than operating as a peer element, which fits a pattern of PLA exercises functioning partly as technology showcases and influence tools with neighboring militaries. The inclusion of robotic dogs and exoskeletons in a bilateral exercise with Mongolia extends the observable record of how the PLA is normalizing unmanned ground systems in combined-arms contexts and in foreign military engagement simultaneously.

Translation

Xinhua News Agency, Hohhot, June 6 (Du Juan, Wang Cheng) — The closing ceremony of the China-Mongolia 'Steppe Partner-2026' Army joint training was held on the 6th at a joint training base in Inner Mongolia. Prior to the closing ceremony, both sides organized and conducted live-force live-fire drills.

At 9:00 a.m., the live-force live-fire drills commenced. The Chinese and Mongolian participating forces conducted coordinated reconnaissance and fire strikes, with both sides sharing intelligence in real time and making ad hoc adjustments to deployments within the joint command post, directing artillery, air defense, assault, and multiple other forces to carry out three-dimensional strikes. Dozens of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles alternately advanced through dust and sand, engineer subunits opened lanes of passage, and new equipment including robotic dogs and unmanned aerial vehicles conducted coordinated clearing operations alongside manned forces. With the launch of four green signal flares, the drills concluded successfully.

At noon, the closing ceremony began to the sound of both countries' national anthems. Leaders of the observation delegation presented mementos to 60 officers and soldiers who had performed outstandingly. Commanders from both sides delivered remarks congratulating the joint training on its complete success, reviewed the traditional friendship between the two countries, and jointly expressed expectations for deepening exchanges and cooperation in the future.

During the joint training, Chinese and Mongolian participating officers and soldiers conducted multiple rounds of simulated command exercises and live-force combined drills. Chinese officers and soldiers provided demonstrations on subjects including chemical defense reconnaissance and decontamination, manned-unmanned cooperative offensive operations, equipment emergency repair, and battlefield medical rescue, while Mongolian officers and soldiers observed on site and experienced operating unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic dogs as well as wearing mechanical exoskeletons. In addition, both sides organized military athletic competitions such as tug-of-war and basketball, as well as multicultural exchange activities, deepening mutual trust and friendship through fighting side by side.

Original Chinese

新华社呼和浩特6月6日电（杜娟、王成）中蒙“草原伙伴-2026”陆军联合训练结束仪式6日在内蒙古某联合训练基地举行。结束仪式前，双方组织开展实兵实弹演练。上午9时，实兵实弹演练拉开序幕。中蒙参训部队协同展开侦察与火力打击，双方在联合指挥所内实时共享情报、临机调整部署，指挥炮兵、防空、突击等多支力量实施立体打击。数十辆坦克、步战车在沙尘中交替突进，工兵分队开辟通路，机器狼、无人机等新装备与有人力量协同清剿。随着4发绿色信号弹升空，演练顺利结束。中午12时，结束仪式在两国国歌声中开始，观摩团领导为60名表现优秀的官兵颁发纪念品，双方指挥员致辞祝贺联训圆满成功，并回顾两国传统友谊，共同表达对未来深化交流合作的期待。联训期间，中蒙参训官兵开展了多轮模拟推演与实兵合练。中方官兵围绕防化侦察洗消、有人无人协同进攻、装备抢修与战场救护等课目进行示范，蒙方官兵现场观摩并体验了无人机、机器狼操控及机械外骨骼穿戴等内容。此外，双方还组织了拔河、篮球等军事竞技比赛和多元文化交流活动，在并肩战斗中深化了互信与友谊。