China Trains Peacekeepers in Drone Warfare Course
A three-week UN-related peacekeeping drone course in Xi'an added counter-drone instruction for the first time at the UN's request.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Military
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China concluded a three-week peacekeeping drone training course in Xi'an for trainees from China, the United Nations, and eight countries including Algeria, Malaysia, and South Africa. The course, reported by the PLA Daily, included a counter-drone technology module for the first time, added at the UN's request.
Why it matters
Drones are playing an increasingly prominent role in military and security operations, creating new challenges for UN peacekeeping forces. The training reflects efforts to prepare peacekeepers for these emerging threats.
The course covered 31 topics, including drone principles in UN peacekeeping, command and control, and safety management, with an increased share of practical training. The source does not state the number of trainees or the specific counter-drone systems covered.
The players
Ministry of National Defense's Peacekeeping Affairs Center
The Chinese government body that organized the course and has run more than 30 international peacekeeping training courses since 2015.
Air Force Engineering University
A Chinese military university that co-organized the training course in Xi'an.
PLA Daily
The official newspaper of China's People's Liberation Army, which reported on the course conclusion.
The details
The course was jointly organized by the Ministry of National Defense's Peacekeeping Affairs Center and the Air Force Engineering University. Experts delivered theoretical lectures, and trainees took part in exercises based on conflict mediation scenarios in UN mission areas.
Timeline
Course concluded and was reported by the PLA Daily on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
The Peacekeeping Affairs Center began organizing international training courses in 2015.
Context
The course extends the Peacekeeping Affairs Center's series of more than 30 international training courses held since 2015. This session is the first in that series to add a counter-drone module, reflecting the UN's request for such training.
The training signals that peacekeeping missions are preparing for drone threats, which may shape how forces are equipped and deployed in conflict zones. Developing countries may gain access to counter-drone capabilities in the future, according to projections in the source.
The takeaway
Peacekeeping forces are adapting training to address drones, a growing security challenge in modern conflicts. Watch for whether counter-drone capabilities spread to more countries through future cooperation.
Further reading
Explore more on Military developments shaping international peacekeeping.
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