On September 3 China organised a military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Second World War (V-Day 80th). It was, by all standards, the greatest military parade in human history with unmistakeable strategic messages for the world.
The greatest parade in human history
Scale and Technological Prowess
First, the sheer scale of it was unprecedented. It was China’s largest ever, with over 12,000 troops, 45 formations, over 100 aircraft, and hundreds of equipment pieces—surpassing previous Chinese events and the great Nazi and Soviet parades. The 1939 Nuremberg Rally had some 5,000 troops and Soviet parades did not cross 8-10,000 troops. Videos of Nazi and Soviet parades are available on the Net and should you so desire, you may check for yourself. Even otherwise, such a great variety of sophisticated weapon systems was never on display anywhere.
Precision and Perfection
Second, the sheer quality of it was absolutely unprecedented. The men and women in the parade marched with such ‘near impossible’ perfection and synchronization that it screamed out—the world did not witness a military parade—it was a giant Swiss watch where the soldiers could replace every single part and yet make the machine work with absolute mechanical perfection. Professionals know that elsewhere in the world, they keep marching contingents or phalanxes small (say 100, that is 10×10), lest the soldiers fall out of synchronization. In China, they kept huge (625 strong each, that is 25×25) contingents and yet pulled it off flawlessly. That demonstrates their great discipline, practice and dedication.
Completely Indigenous Weapons
Third, every single piece of cutting-edge military equipment on display, down from the rifles to the ICBMs, was designed and manufactured in China. There was not one piece that was imported. They included besides their famous missiles, main battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers, anti-aircraft systems, laser weapons, and drones and robotics. Over 100 aircraft participated in the flypast with helicopters having formed the numbers “80” to mark the anniversary.
Full Armed Might
The parade included contingents from the Ground Force (PLAGF), Navy (PLAN), Air Force (PLAAF), Rocket Force (PLARF), Strategic Support Force (PLAASF), Cyberspace Force (PLACF), Information Support Force (PLAISF), Joint Logistics Support Force (PLAJLSF), People’s Armed Police, Militia, and Women’s Militia.
Ambience
Instead of playing recorded songs, thousands of civilian youth, mostly in coordinated attire but not uniform, sang patriotic songs such as the Chinese national anthem (“March of the Volunteers”), “Ode to the Motherland”, “Rush to Glory,” and others.
New weapon systems displayed for the first time
I am discussing the major new or upgraded systems and, to save space, am not mentioning the existing systems, except when necessary to place things in proper context.
MISSILES and UAVS/UCAVS
The parade showcased the first public display of a complete nuclear triad (land, sea, and air-based systems), with several intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and related weaponry making their debut or appearing in upgraded forms.
DF-61 Road Mobile ICBM (Inter Continental Ballistic Missile)
Range: Over 12,000 km (capable of reaching anywhere on Earth); Payload: Multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs, up to 10 warheads); Speed: Hypersonic terminal phase; Mobility: Truck-launched for survivability against pre-emptive strikes; Guidance: Inertial/GPS with anti-jamming capabilities.
DF-5C Silo/rail-launched ICBM (upgraded from DF-5 series)
Range: 13,000+ km; Payload: MIRVs; Fuel: Liquid-propellant; Speed: Mach 20+ re-entry; Capable of global strikes; Upgrades include improved accuracy and countermeasures against missile defences.
DF-31BJ Road-mobile ICBM (upgraded)
Range: 11,000+ km; Payload: MIRVs (3-5 warheads); Fuel: Solid-propellant; Speed: Mach 10+; Designed for rapid deployment and second-strike capability.
Julang-3 (JL-3) SLBM (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile)
Range: 10,000+ km; Payload: MIRVs; Compatible with Type 096 submarines; Speed: Mach 20+ re-entry; Enhances sea-based nuclear deterrence.
DF-26D IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile) (upgraded)
Famous as Guam Killer, referring to its capability to hit the American military facilities (Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Base Guam, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz) on this Pacific island. Range: 4,000 km; Payload: Conventional or nuclear warheads; Speed: Hypersonic glide vehicle (Mach 5+); Anti-ship capabilities targeting aircraft carriers.
Nuclear Torpedo or Underwater nuclear delivery system (similar to Russia’s Poseidon)
Range: Unlimited (nuclear-powered); Payload: Nuclear warhead; Speed: Up to 100 knots; Designed for coastal destruction or tsunami induction.
Hypersonic anti-ship missiles to target American navy
Keeping America’s traditionally strong naval might in mind, a major focus was on hypersonic weapons, with several new anti-ship missiles (ASMs) and air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) unveiled, emphasizing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities.
Jinglei-1 Air-launched cruise missile (ALCM)
Range: Long-range (exact undisclosed, est. 2,000+ km); Platform: Bomber-launched; Guidance: Satellite/inertial; Part of air-based nuclear triad.
YJ-21 Hypersonic anti-ship missile (ASM)
Range: 1,500+ km; Speed: Mach 6-10; Payload: 400-600 kg warhead; Carrier-killer with manoeuvrability.
Four more Hypersonic anti-ship missiles (ASM) were displayed. They included YJ-17 (1,200 km) truck or ship-launched; YJ-19 (1,000-2,000 km) Waverider design for enhanced manoeuvrability; YJ-20 (1,500 km) multi-platform (air/sea/land); and YJ-15 (800-1,200 km) Compact for fighter integration.
Changjian-1000 Cruise missile
Range: Est. 1,500-2,000 km; Speed: Supersonic; All-weather capabilities.
Drones, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), and UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle)
A UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is the technical term for an aircraft that flies without a human pilot onboard, whereas a drone is a more common, informal term for a UAV and sometimes refers to the entire system, including the aircraft, ground controls, and sensors. A UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) is a specialized type of UAV designed and equipped for military combat operations, carrying weapons like missiles or bombs.
Unmanned systems were a highlight, with over seven types of aerial drones and new underwater variants displayed, emphasizing swarm and multi-domain operations. As James Char, a China defence scholar based in Singapore noted, “The combination of the (sea) drones they have and also the missiles, it will create an area that external navies couldn’t even enter to intervene.”
FH-97 “Loyal Wingman” Stealth UCAV
Range: Est. 1,000+ km; Speed: Subsonic; Roles: Recon, attack, jamming; Integrates with manned fighters like J-20.
AJX002 Extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle (XLUUV)
Length: Up to 20 m; Roles: Reconnaissance, strike; Autonomous navigation; Amphibious capabilities (air/underwater).
Supersonic Intelligent UAV
Speed: Supersonic (Mach 1+); AI-enhanced autonomy; Roles: Recon, strike.
Ship-Launched Unmanned Helicopters/UAV
Platform: Naval vessels; Roles: Recon, anti-submarine; Swarm-capable.
Intelligent All-Weapon Unmanned surface vessel
Fully armed; Roles: Patrol, strike; AI-driven.
Combat Drone Swarms/ UAV swarms
Multiple units; Roles: Recon, attack; Coordinated via AI.
Reconnaissance and Strike Aerial Drones (7 types) UAV/UCAV
Undisclosed specifics; Multi-role, including electronic warfare.
GJ-11 (Gongji-11) Stealth UCAV (existing)
Range: 4,000 km; Speed: Subsonic; Payload: Bombs/missiles; Stealth design for reconnaissance and strike.
Stealth fighters and other platforms
Besides the existing stealth fighter J-20 and J-16multi-role fighter, they displayed the following stealth aircraft:
J-35
Range: 2,000 km; Speed: Mach 2; Stealth coating; Weapons: Internal bays for missiles; Carrier-compatible variant.
J-15T Carrier-based fighter (upgraded)
Range: 3,000 km; Speed: Mach 2.4; Upgrades: Catapult launch compatibility, improved avionics.
Carrier-Based Early Warning Aircraft AEW&C
Platform: Carrier-launched; Radar: Phased-array; Detection range: 400+ km.
Main battle tanks and other vehicles
Type 100 Main battle tank (MBT)
Weight: ~55 tons; Unmanned-turret concept, high “informatization,” APS, and possible hybrid power per Chinese/intl coverage. Armament: 125mm gun, anti-tank missiles; Protection: Active defence systems, AI targeting; Speed: 70 km/h.
Type 99B MBT (upgraded from Type 99A)
Weight: 54 tons; Armament: 125mm smoothbore; Speed: 80 km/h; Upgrades: Phased-array radar, unmanned turret.
Intelligent Unmanned Combat Vehicle UGV
Autonomous; Armament: Guns/missiles; Roles: Recon, assault.
Box-Type Anti-Tank Missile Vehicle Anti-tank system
Launcher: Multiple missiles; Range: 5-10 km; Guidance: Fire-and-forget.
Robot Dogs UGV
Roles: Recon, explosive delivery; Speed: 10-15 km/h; AI navigation.
Air defence and anti-satellite systems
HQ-29 Anti-satellite/anti-missile system (“Satellite Hunter”)
Range: Low Earth orbit (up to 2,000 km); Targets: Satellites (e.g., Starlink), missiles; Guidance: Kinetic kill vehicle.
HQ-19 Surface-to-air missile (SAM)
Range: 200+ km; Targets: Ballistic missiles, aircraft; Speed: Mach 6.
HQ-12 SAM
Range: 100 km; Targets: Aircraft, drones; Mobile launcher.
Haihongqi-9S (HQ-9S) Ship-based SAM (upgraded)
Range: 200 km; Targets: Aircraft, missiles; Radar: Phased-array.
Anti-Drone Triad Counter-UAV system
Components: Missile guns, high-energy lasers, high-power microwaves; Multi-layered defense; Vehicle-mounted radars.
Directed-energy and electronic warfare systems
LY-1 Ship-based laser weapon
Power: High-energy (est. 50-100 kW); Targets: Drones, missiles; Range: 10-20 km; Burns electronics or disables optics.
High-Energy Laser Weapons Directed-energy
Integrated into anti-drone systems; Power: Variable; Roles: Neutralize small threats.
Full-Spectrum Electronic Jamming Vehicle EW system
Jams radar, communications, GPS; Range: 100+ km; AI-optimized.
Strategic messages to the world
That China is indeed powerful
The parade gave out subtle but vital strategic messages to the world. First, the sheer extent of raw military power on display made entirely in China demonstrated the tremendous capabilities of its military-industrial complex and its cutting-edge technical research. From design to manufacture, everything was Chinese and, in many ways, they stood shoulder-shoulder with the best in the world. The message was clear: “Don’t you dare mess with us.”
That China has allies
Second, the presence of Putin himself from a superpower like Russia and leaders of other nuclear powers like Kim Jong Un (North Korea) and Shahbaz Sharif (Pakistan) demonstrated that China has ‘unwavering’ friends and it cannot be isolated in world politics, militarily or economically.
That trade and military relations are two different things
Incidentally, Field Marshal Asim Munir was a Special Invitee to the parade. In fact, he was the only foreign military officer to be invited—the full meaning and import of this gesture of the Chinese should be clear to all observers. China might do trade with many countries including rivals for economic reasons; it has no bearing on its ‘all-weather’ military friendship with Pakistan.
That they cannot be strangulated for Energy
Further, it was no coincidence that, just a day before the parade, Russia and China signed an agreement to build “Power of Siberia 2”, a long-delayed pipeline to supply Russian gas to China. The project, under development since 2020, will transport gas from western Siberian reserves to China via Mongolia (the Soyuz Vostok transit pipeline). It will be the largest, most extensive and most capital-intensive project in the global gas industry. Power of Siberia 2 will add 50 billion cubic meters of export capacity per year to Russia’s pipeline network, supplementing the 38 billion cubic meters currently shipped through the original Power of Siberia line from eastern Siberia. It would provide China with a safeguard against geopolitical risks while giving Russia a crucial market for gas exports after the loss of Western buyers after the invasion of Ukraine.
Final reckoning
Those who have a complex with China or those who are privately scared of their military might are found saying that a weapon system ought to be combat proven first to prove its intrinsic worth and that technological sophistication is not everything. Fine, I do agree. I myself had written a full article on this titled Cost effective, combat-proven vs. fancy, unreliable weapons. Amusingly, however, such comments are found being made by people from those countries also, which depend almost entirely on imported weapon systems and which have not fought a genuine large-scale war in half a century or so. The same argument applies to them too.
There is a difference between deciding to purchase a weapon from amongst a selection of weapons and developing a weapon. When you are buying, it makes sense to buy weapons that are combat proven. However, when you are developing weapon systems, you have no option but to employ the best technology available and hope that the system would stand the test of combat. For want of opportunity to combat test a weapon, you cannot keep on waiting until war is on your head. The Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter has so far been used primarily for reconnaissance and NATO air policing. The Eurofighter Typhoon has also been used for air policing missions and deployments in conflicts like the Libyan Civil War and the air strikes against ISIS—hardly a significant combat. Supposedly great fighter planes like the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and Sukhoi Su-57 have not yet seen any significant combat. It does not mean that they should not have been developed in the first place.
I therefore, do not assign any significance to Greg Torode’s comment in Reuters “Beyond the neat demonstration of precision and discipline on display at the parade, question-marks remained about the full capabilities and ranges of the new weapons.” This is chicanery. For the USA also, several weapon systems like the hypersonic Dark Eagle missile and Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) have not been combat-proven yet. Similarly, the Hybrid Combat Vehicles (e.g., Abrams X, Striker X); Armed Robots; Laser Weapon Systems; Naval Rail Guns; and Underwater Drones have not been combat proven yet. We did not hear similar comments for them.
To be fair, as the security analyst Alexander Neill has put it, “China’s parade means that there is indeed a lot for rival defence planners to get their heads around.” As far as the overall impact of the great military parade is concerned, my personal assessment is that the message of technological advancement, overall military strength, the sheer power of China’s R&D and military-industrial complex, and their deterrence value could not have been made more powerfully and more perfectly as it was accomplished through this parade. They deserve 100% marks for this great orchestration.
