Military Lithium Battery Technology Breakthrough: 40-Ton Hybrid Tank and New Energy Equipment Revolution

From electric tanks to unmanned submarines, lithium battery technology is reshaping the energy foundation of modern military equipment.

During the 2025 National Day military parade, China showcased multiple new energy military systems, including a 40-ton hybrid tank, electric drones, and unmanned submarines—marking the deep integration of military lithium battery technology into core defense applications. The unveiling of these systems not only reflects leaps in battery technology but also demonstrates China’s comprehensive advancement in military new energy systems.

As lithium battery technology experts, we believe these achievements stem from major breakthroughs in energy density, power output, and safety. Their application in heavy equipment like hybrid tanks proves lithium battery technology has matured sufficiently to meet the most demanding military requirements.

I. Hybrid-Powered Tanks: A Power Revolution in Land Warfare Equipment

China’s new generation of 40-ton hybrid-powered tanks employs advanced hybrid technology, integrating an extended-range power system with diesel-electric switching capability. This design enables a top speed of 85 kilometers per hour while providing ample electrical support for multiple new electronic devices and weapon systems.

The electric drive system delivers significant tactical advantages. The tank can more effectively support modern equipment like electromagnetic jammers and laser weapons. Electromagnetic jammers can disrupt incoming missile guidance systems, while laser weapons can be used to shoot down low-flying drones, greatly enhancing the tank’s survivability and combat effectiveness on modern battlefields.

Hybrid tanks impose extremely high demands on lithium-ion battery performance, requiring rapid charge/discharge cycles in complex battlefield conditions to meet instantaneous high-power output needs. While current lithium-ion batteries achieve an energy density of 250 Wh/kg, hybrid tank applications may necessitate even higher energy densities, further driving battery technology toward advanced levels of development.

II. Military Battery Technology: The Ultimate Demands of Military-Grade Standards

Military lithium batteries must meet three core requirements: high safety, high reliability, and high environmental adaptability. These batteries must ensure safety under high-intensity impacts and strikes without causing casualties; remain effective and reliable during operation; and function normally across diverse environmental conditions.

The National Military Standard (GJB) imposes stringent specifications on lithium-ion battery packs for aviation applications, mandating long-term stable operation under high-altitude low-pressure conditions, intense vibration, extreme temperature fluctuations, and complex electromagnetic environments. These standards include detailed requirements for cell, module, battery pack, BMS, and complete system validation.

Performance requirements for military batteries include: wide operating temperature range (-40°C to +55°C or broader), extended cycle life (typically ≥1000 cycles), high-rate capability (supporting high-current discharge), and long storage life (5-10+ years).

Regarding safety, military batteries must pass a series of rigorous tests, including: overcharge, over-discharge, short-circuit, needle penetration, heating, drop, impact, vibration, high-altitude low-pressure testing (simulating 15,000 meters), electromagnetic compatibility testing (resistance to lightning strikes and electromagnetic pulses), and fire suppression and explosion suppression validation.

III. Military Electric Drones: The Perfect Integration of AI and Lithium Batteries

The electric drones showcased in the parade are not only used for reconnaissance but also possess attack capabilities. Through deep integration with AI technology, these drones achieve a high degree of autonomous flight and combat capabilities.

Their AI control systems integrate advanced navigation technology, computer vision algorithms, and mission planning algorithms. They can dynamically optimize flight paths in real time and automatically adjust direction, altitude, and speed when encountering obstacles, adverse weather, or enemy air defense threats.

The swarm combat capabilities of electric drones have been significantly enhanced. Through advanced communication systems and algorithms, drones achieve efficient information exchange and coordinated operations. The swarm combat capabilities of electric drones are increasingly prominent in modern warfare, enabling saturation strikes against enemy targets through the coordinated actions of large numbers of drones.

IV. New Energy Support Vehicles: Catalysts for Logistics Transformation

As the vanguard of the parade, pure electric sanitation vehicles were tasked with sweeping and cleaning the parade route, ensuring dust-free conditions for the marching troops. This deployment of new energy vehicles in parade support underscores China’s achievements in green technology and high-end manufacturing within the new energy sector.

New energy military vehicles have established an industrial layout encompassing clean energy, new energy, and intelligent connected vehicles, featuring a full range of new energy commercial vehicle products including pure electric and hybrid models. These vehicles undertake transportation and support missions during the parade, ensuring its smooth execution.

The adoption of new energy technologies has significantly enhanced military equipment in areas such as power, range, and stealth capabilities. For instance, the hybrid power systems in new energy tanks not only improve mobility but also reduce noise levels, thereby boosting stealth performance.

Simultaneously, the deployment of new energy support vehicles reduces reliance on traditional fuel sources, lowering the complexity and risks associated with logistical resupply. The relatively lower maintenance costs of these vehicles also alleviate the burden on logistical support operations.

V. Electric Unmanned Submarines: A New Force in Underwater Warfare

Electric unmanned submarines represent a significant advancement in modern military technology, offering advantages such as high stealth, extended endurance, and versatile mission capabilities. The domestically developed electric unmanned submarine measures 11.5 meters in length, 1.6 meters in diameter, and has a full load displacement of 50 tons. Powered by an electric engine, it achieves a maximum speed of 12 knots, a maximum diving depth of 300 meters, and an operational range of 500 nautical miles.

These unmanned submarines can carry other UUVs, transforming into “unmanned mother ships” with the capability to launch land-attack cruise missiles. The electric propulsion system significantly reduces thermal signatures and acoustic signatures, greatly enhancing their stealth and survivability.

VI. Technical Challenges and Future Development Directions

Military lithium-ion battery technology still faces multiple challenges. Adaptability to extreme environments remains the primary hurdle, as batteries must function reliably under conditions such as high altitudes, low temperatures, high temperatures, high salt fog, high humidity, and intense vibration and shock.

Energy density and power density require further enhancement to meet growing power demands. While current lithium-ion batteries achieve energy densities of 250 Wh/kg, future military applications may demand even higher densities.

Safety remains paramount for military batteries, necessitating advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS) to monitor real-time battery status and prevent overcharging, over-discharging, overheating, and other hazards. Concurrently, research into safer battery materials must advance, developing components with enhanced high-temperature resistance and impact tolerance.

Future development directions include: developing high-voltage cathode materials with bidirectional high transport properties for lithium ions, wide-temperature-range electrolyte systems, composite carbon anode materials capable of low-temperature charging, and high-safety, high-reliability battery design and fabrication technologies.

Advancements in military lithium-ion battery technology are reshaping the modern battlefield. From 40-ton hybrid tanks to highly stealthy electric unmanned submarines, new energy technologies not only enhance equipment performance but also transform combat doctrines and logistics support models.

These achievements stem from China’s comprehensive breakthroughs in lithium battery materials, battery management systems, and system integration technology. As technology continues to advance, military lithium batteries featuring high energy density, enhanced safety, and superior reliability will further drive innovation in defense technology, providing a robust safeguard for national security.