Can PLA training catch up with China’s rapid weapon development?

China’s military has issued a rare warning that its personnel may be insufficiently trained to operate new weapons, including unmanned and intelligent systems, despite Beijing’s rapid advancements in military technology. The *PLA Daily* cautioned that some military units show low integration between personnel and equipment, with limited trust in systems and weak coordination between human operators and technology. The article stated that advanced equipment—such as long-range, precise, intelligent, stealthy, and uncrewed weapons—may fail to deliver operational advantages if personnel cannot effectively use them. Without proper training, even cutting-edge systems risk reducing combat effectiveness, potentially leading to defeat in war. The *PLA* has distributed domestically developed weapons, many incorporating new technologies like unmanned and intelligent systems. However, some units have not prioritized personnel-equipment integration or cultivated specialized talent, treating new systems as ‘treasured assets’ rather than actively employing them. The warning emphasized that commanders must enhance technical expertise and operational skills to meet future warfare demands. President Xi Jinping, who leads the *Central Military Commission*, called in 2022 for accelerating unmanned and intelligent combat capabilities. A Beijing military parade last September showcased the *PLA*’s new unmanned drones, AI-powered vehicles, and laser weapons, signaling an arms race driven by technological advances. Experts noted that the parade featured at least four unmanned aerial drones capable of stealth strikes and autonomous coordination. The *PLA Daily* urged commanders to sharpen their skills, boldly operate new equipment, and emphasize training for high-intensity conflict scenarios to avoid operational failures.