China’s military is rapidly deploying cutting-edge AI-powered drones that are low-cost and agile on the battlefield, as it races to gain an edge in the modern warfare technology.

One of the latest – a micro drone that looks like a thermal flask and weighs less than a kilogram – was featured on state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday. The micro drone is the first of its kind and is designed for use across the People’s Liberation Army infantry units, according to the report.

It said the drone’s coaxial dual-rotor system provided superior lift compared with traditional quadcopters, “allowing it to carry up to twice its own weight – the highest known payload ratio among drones globally”.