Learning from Ukraine war, Chinese military doctors target injuries from drones

China’s military medical experts are focusing on treating injuries sustained in drone warfare, learning from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Senior Chinese military doctor Chen Juxiang, director of neurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, revealed that cranio-maxillofacial injuries – damage to the skull and face – now account for over 30% of battlefield trauma in drone wars.

Chen said his team has been preparing for this shift since 2017 and has made progress in treatment protocols and haemostatic materials for these head injuries. Meanwhile, Beijing is strengthening both offensive and defensive drone capabilities, with President Xi Jinping emphasizing the need to develop uncrewed intelligent combat forces and countermeasure capabilities.

Analysis from the PLA General Hospital found that traditional gunshot wounds are being replaced by explosive injuries from drones and kinetic weapons, often taking more than six hours to transport casualties from the battlefield to a casualty collection point. The hospital suggested that frontline medical units should be able to provide prolonged casualty care and damage-control surgery.

Researchers from a PLA hospital proposed using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to treat critically wounded patients with severe lung injuries caused by drone attacks. These developments come as drones become more prevalent in conflicts, presenting new challenges for military medical services worldwide. The US military has also adjusted its training to address the unique risks of aerial attacks and burn care in drone-dominated battlefields.