China Tests New VU-T10 Robot Tank to Boost Battlefield Firepower with AI and Remote Control

China has tested its new VU-T10 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) — a robotic tank designed to deliver powerful fire support without putting soldiers at risk. The cutting-edge vehicle was developed by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) and was recently shown in action through official video footage posted online on July 20, 2025.

The VU-T10 made its public debut at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2024, but this new footage shows the robot tank traversing rough terrain and firing its 30 mm main cannon at ground targets. What makes this machine stand out is that it is not driven by a person inside. Instead, it is controlled remotely from a separate command vehicle, making it safer for troops during battle.

The VU-T10 looks and acts a lot like an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), with tracks for rugged mobility and weapons to take on various threats. It is about 3.8 meters long, 2.4 meters wide, and 2 meters tall, weighing around 12 tons. Its weapon loadout includes a 30 mm cannon, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and what appears to be tandem anti-tank rockets. It can also carry Red Arrow 12 anti-tank guided missiles, allowing it to strike targets from long distances.

In addition to its firepower, the VU-T10 is equipped with smoke grenade launchers to help hide it from enemy view in dangerous situations. What’s more, it runs on electric power and can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, making it quieter and harder to detect by heat or sound—a big advantage on modern battlefields.

Norinco has designed the VU-T10 to operate as part of a larger team of robotic and manned systems, which is part of China’s MUM-T (manned-unmanned teaming) strategy. This means the VU-T10 can work together with soldiers, drones, robotic dogs like the Machine Wolf, and other advanced systems like laser weapons, missiles, and rocket launchers, all coordinated using real-time information.

According to China's Global Times, this test is more than just about one machine—it’s part of China’s larger goal to build a “complete chain” of unmanned military equipment. Norinco is also developing other robot vehicles like an 8×8 logistics UGV, nicknamed the “mule,” designed to carry supplies to troops at the front lines.

A Norinco spokesperson said that the company is now heavily focused on smart systems for both ground and aerial combat, in line with China’s military priorities: informatization, intelligentization, and network-centric warfare. These ideas aim to make China’s military more connected, more automated, and faster to react in real time.

While the VU-T10 hasn’t been sold to any foreign military yet, it has been showcased at defense expos in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, hinting at future exports. With this system, China is clearly aiming to lead the global push toward robotic and autonomous warfare, offering a glimpse of what tomorrow’s battlefields might look like—machines, sensors, and algorithms all working together to strike faster and smarter.

As the world watches closely, the VU-T10 could become a game-changer, not just for China’s military but for the broader race in robotic warfare technologies.