Missiles, drones, tanks, and aircraft: What weapons did China display at its military parade?

Today, September 3, China held a large-scale military parade. The event, organized to mark the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the victory in World War II, was attended by 26 foreign leaders. Among those present at Tiananmen Square in Beijing was the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

China traditionally holds such parades once every 10 years. The last one took place on October 1, 2019. This year, however, Xi Jinping broke with tradition and held an extraordinary parade. The event featured 45,000 troops, 600 armored vehicles, and 100 aircraft. Yet it was more than just a display of military hardware and roaring engines — it was a major political event. Against the backdrop of growing global military and political tensions, the parade signaled not only China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty but also its ambitions to position itself as a leading supplier of advanced weaponry.

This article provides an overview of the military equipment showcased by Xi Jinping.

China’s new weapons

The extraordinary parade began with artillery salvos, following a signal from Chinese Premier Li Qiang. It featured 45 military formations representing all branches of the People’s Liberation Army.

In his opening address, Xi Jinping emphasized China’s contribution to global peace and highlighted that the Chinese military has always been a reliable pillar for the Communist Party and the people. After the speech, Xi inspected the troops and equipment at Tiananmen Square from an open vehicle, passing rows of soldiers and armored vehicles.

For the first time, cyber forces responsible for national cybersecurity and sovereignty in cyberspace were featured in the parade. These units specialize in countering cyberattacks, identifying attempts to manipulate public opinion, and ensuring information security.

During the event, PLA helicopters formed the number 80 in the sky, symbolizing the anniversary. The parade also highlighted China’s defense industry achievements, with 40 percent of the showcased weapons and systems being completely new to the public.

1. DF-41 – Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. One of the most striking displays was the DF-41 missile, capable of striking targets at a distance of 14,000–15,000 kilometers. It reaches speeds of Mach 25 (30,000 km/h). For reference, Mach is a measure of the speed of sound. The missile can carry up to 10 independently targeted nuclear warheads.

2. DF-100 – Hypersonic Cruise Missile. This missile has a range of 4,000 kilometers and travels at Mach 4 (4,900 km/h). When launched from an H-6N bomber, its range extends beyond 6,000 kilometers.

3. AJX-002 – Nuclear-Powered Underwater Drone. The parade’s biggest sensation was the AJX-002 nuclear drone torpedo. Measuring 20 meters in length and 1.5 meters in diameter, it has an estimated yield of 100 megatons — 5,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It can travel at a speed of 100 knots (200 km/h) at depths of up to one kilometer, detonating near enemy coastlines and triggering a tsunami as high as 50 meters, capable of devastating areas up to 500 kilometers inland.

4. ZTZ-201 – “Smart Tank.” China’s new main battle tank resembles Russia’s next-generation heavy armored platform Armata. The crew is housed in a separate capsule. The tank features 13 optical sensors to track enemy drones, weighs just under 40 tons, and is powered by a 1,500-horsepower engine, with a top speed of 60 km/h. Its 105 mm gun uses advanced armor-piercing ammunition.

In short, the parade in Beijing served as a powerful demonstration of China’s military capabilities, sending a clear political and strategic signal to the United States and its allies.

“Winged sword” – drones

Even China’s staunchest critics acknowledge its remarkable advances in developing cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with some calling it a global leader in this field. At the parade, China proved this reputation by showcasing an entire fleet of modern combat drones. The highlight was the stealthy GJ-11 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which experts describe as the “centerpiece” of China’s drone technology.

The GJ-11 boasts impressive specifications: a combat radius of 1,600 kilometers, a maximum flight range of 4,000 kilometers, and endurance of up to six hours at altitudes of 12,000 meters. It is considered a highly effective hybrid of a fighter jet and a strategic bomber.

Its payload includes four air-to-air missiles, four 500 kg laser-guided bombs, or twelve 100 kg precision glide bombs. Its biggest advantage is its low radar visibility. According to its developers, no current air defense system in the world can reliably detect the GJ-11 in time to intercept it.

Defense vehicle – FK-3 000

The new FK-3 000 anti-aircraft missile and artillery system was also showcased for the first time at the parade. In appearance, it closely resembles Russia’s well-known Pantsir-S1/SM complex. However, the Chinese version is more focused on protection against drones. Mounted on a three-axle armored vehicle chassis, the system is equipped with 12 short-range missiles and a 30 mm automatic cannon. It can simultaneously engage multiple targets. Its main role is to defend front-line units, critical facilities, and infrastructure.

Drone disablers

High-power microwave (HPM) weapons were also presented for the first time at the parade. These weapons feature large antenna arrays that emit powerful microwave pulses to disable drones’ electronics, causing them to fall from the sky like flies. Their effective range is several hundred meters. HPM systems are designed to protect field positions, bases, and other strategic sites from enemy drone attacks.

“Wings of the sky” – aircraft

One of the highlights of the aerial equipment display was the J-35 multirole fighter jet, created as a direct rival to the U.S. F-35. Reports indicate that it is armed with long-range precision-guided missiles and, if necessary, can carry nuclear warheads. Technically, the J-35 matches the F-35 and even surpasses it in some areas.

The brightest star of the parade, however, was the Chengdu J-36, presented as China’s sixth-generation aircraft. It is equipped with advanced artificial intelligence systems that provide pilots with full situational awareness of both air and ground activity. The aircraft can serve as both a fighter and a long-range bomber.

A key innovation is that the J-36 is being developed for unmanned operation. This makes it the world’s first manned bomber alternative capable of operating at or above a human pilot’s decision-making level.

Weapons for space

China also displayed its hypersonic weapons, including the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20 missiles, as well as the Cuantianhou and MD-19 hypersonic drones. According to media reports, these weapons are designed to target U.S. and European military assets and bases in the Indo-Pacific region. Some are even engineered to destroy satellites.

The U.S. is deeply concerned because while its hypersonic technology has yet to exceed speeds of Mach 8–10, China has already surpassed Mach 20. For example, the DF-27 missile reportedly travels at Mach 20 over a range of 5,000 kilometers, bypassing all existing U.S. missile defense systems.

A warning signal to the U.S.?

The unprecedented variety of weaponry displayed in Beijing signals China’s intent to demonstrate its vast military and technological strength to the world. This formidable display is likely aimed primarily at China’s geopolitical rival, the United States. American leaders have increasingly spoken openly about the possibility of a global conflict with China, calling it inevitable.

For Washington, the Beijing parade was not only provocative but also worrying. Foreign media reported that U.S. reconnaissance satellites closely monitored the exercises in the Chinese capital. Some weapons, kept under wraps during the parade, sparked even greater curiosity among foreign observers, especially Americans. To express disapproval, the U.S. and its allies withdrew their ambassadors. However, this did little to trouble Beijing, as 26 heads of state and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, attended the event. Putin was seated on Xi Jinping’s right, with Kim Jong Un on his left, a politically symbolic gesture.

Recently plagued by rumors about his health, U.S. President Donald Trump could not remain silent about the parade. On September 2, he posted on Truth Social, recalling that during World War II, the United States and China were allies against Japan:

“The big question is whether President Xi will talk about the tremendous help and ‘blood’ given by the United States to free China from enemy occupation. May President Xi Jinping and the great Chinese people have a grand and unforgettable celebration! Please send my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as you conspire against the United States,” he wrote.

Trump’s concerns were not unfounded, as Xi sat alongside two of the world’s most controversial and U.S.-hostile leaders, Putin and Kim. Japan not only urged its allies to boycott the event but also issued a statement suggesting that “the parade carries an anti-Japanese message.” China’s Xinhua News Agency heightened intrigue with this remark:

“The weapons and equipment displayed during the Beijing parade fully demonstrate capabilities in command, control, intelligence, early warning, air and missile defense, firepower, and integrated support.”

The conclusion is clear: global geopolitical and interstate rivalries are becoming increasingly visible. Instead of drawing lessons from World War II, which claimed over 75 million lives, some political leaders appear eager to showcase that they are unafraid of future conflicts, using commemorations as a stage for displays of power.