The recent military parade through central Beijing was far more than a mere spectacle of national pride; it served as a deliberately fearsome display of weaponry, meticulously orchestrated to send an unequivocal message. Under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, China is not just articulating a vision of a new world order with itself at the apex, but is demonstrably backing this ambition with a formidable array of high-tech arms. Many of these capabilities appear, in several crucial cases, to be ahead of its rivals, signaling a profound shift in global military dynamics that demands immediate and rigorous examination.
This grand exhibition, marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, was an unprecedented rollout of military hardware down Beijing’s Avenue of Eternal Peace. So overwhelming was the volume that it was challenging to assimilate one weapon system before another rolled into view. Yet, amidst the blur of advanced machinery, certain elements clearly distinguished themselves, offering a stark glimpse into the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) burgeoning capabilities and China’s strategic intent to project its power on the international stage, fundamentally challenging the established post-war order.
The insights gleaned from this parade extend beyond mere military inventory; they offer a comprehensive understanding of China’s integrated approach to asserting its dominance. From novel long-range nuclear-armed weapons to a stunning array of unmanned systems and the foundational industrial capacity that underpins it all, Beijing presented a powerful narrative of self-reliance, rapid advancement, and a burgeoning challenge to established global military hierarchies. It is a narrative that demands careful analysis, as it speaks directly to the evolving balance of power and the future trajectory of international security, presenting a clear vision for a new geopolitical reality.
1. **DF-61 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) & New Nuclear Triad** The parade’s most striking revelation in the realm of strategic deterrence was undoubtedly the DF-61, a colossal intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Carried prominently on an imposing eight-axle truck, the DF-61 marks the PLA Rocket Force’s first new ICBM since the DF-41 was introduced in 2019. This public debut underscores China’s continuous and rapid modernization of its long-range nuclear capabilities, designed to ensure robust second-strike capacity and thereby deter potential adversaries with a credible threat of devastating retaliation. The very mobility of such a system, transported on a large vehicle, enhances its survivability against a first strike, complicating an adversary’s targeting calculus and bolstering China’s strategic stability.
This new weapon is not an isolated development but forms a critical component of what state media CCTV described as the “first concentrated display” of the Chinese army’s “land, sea and air triad strategic nuclear forces.” This triad, the cornerstone of any major nuclear power, was comprehensively showcased with the inclusion of other nuclear-capable ICBMs such as the Dong Feng-31BJ and the Dong Feng 5C. Furthermore, the new air-launched nuclear missile, the JL-1, displayed on a military truck, highlighted the expanding versatility of China’s delivery platforms, ensuring that its nuclear deterrent is resilient and multi-faceted across various operational environments.
The Dong Feng 5C, in particular, drew attention for its formidable specifications, indicative of China’s ambition for global reach. According to the state media Global Times, this variant boasts an estimated range of more than 20,000 kilometers, unequivocally placing the “entire globe under its strike range.” Such an expansive reach signifies that no potential adversary, regardless of geographical distance, can consider itself immune from Chinese retaliation, fundamentally altering strategic calculations across continents.
Beyond its sheer range, experts suggest that the DF-5C is capable of carrying up to 12 warheads on a single missile. This multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) capability represents a significant advancement in defense penetration and precision. By deploying multiple warheads, China complicates missile defense systems, increasing the probability that a significant portion of its arsenal would successfully reach its targets. These formidable capabilities directly contribute to Xi Jinping’s vision of a new world order, backed by military might that cannot be easily challenged by conventional or even current strategic defenses.
2. **Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Missiles** Beyond conventional ballistic missiles, China spotlighted its formidable advancements in hypersonic technology, an area where many analysts believe Beijing holds a significant, possibly world-leading, advantage. Missiles equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) were prominently displayed, showcasing an ability to carry warheads at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound. This incredible velocity, coupled with irregular flight trajectories that deviate from predictable ballistic paths, presents an unprecedented challenge to existing missile defense systems, making them exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to intercept with current technologies.
The array of hypersonic weapons on display was extensive, providing a comprehensive view of China’s strategic investments. This included the new YJ-15 missile, alongside its pre-existing YJ-17, YJ-19, and the formidable YJ-21, commonly known as the “carrier killer.” Moreover, previously documented systems like the Dong Feng-17 and Dong Feng-26D were also featured. The “Ying Ji” or “eagle attack” YJ missiles, designed for launch from ships or aircraft, are specifically engineered to inflict critical damage on large naval vessels, directly targeting the capital ships that form the backbone of Western naval power projection.
Dr. Sidharth Kaushal, a leading expert on missiles at the London think tank RUSI, explicitly highlighted the YJ-17 (a hypersonic glide vehicle) and the YJ-19 (a hypersonic cruise missile) as key components of this advanced arsenal. This emphasis from independent analysis underscores the international concern and recognition of China’s rapid strides in this domain. The development of such weapons speaks to a strategy focused on asymmetric advantages, aiming to negate the traditional technological superiority of potential adversaries in certain conflict scenarios, thereby reshaping the conventional military balance.
The YJ-21, often referred to as the “carrier killer,” stands out as a particularly concerning development for naval strategists. Reports indicate this anti-ship missile is not only capable of supersonic speeds but also likely possesses a range exceeding 600 kilometers. Such a capability threatens to push adversarial aircraft carriers and other high-value surface assets further away from China’s shores, effectively extending Beijing’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) zones. Combined with the “all-weather combat capabilities” of missiles like the DF-17 and DF-26D, China is rapidly advancing its ability to engage high-value naval targets with precision and overwhelming force, fundamentally altering maritime power dynamics in critical regions like the Western Pacific.
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3. **Advanced Drone Systems Across Domains** A truly impressive and diverse array of drones filled the parade formations, signaling China’s robust investment in unmanned systems across all combat domains—air, land, and sea. From extra-large unmanned submarines to aircraft capable of acting as ” loyal wingmen” to advanced stealth fighters, the PLA’s embrace of drone technology is both comprehensive and cutting-edge. Ground drones, some armed with machine guns, others configured for mine-clearing or logistics, further emphasized the breadth of their integration into modern warfare doctrines, indicating a future battlefield where autonomous systems play an increasingly pivotal role.
Of particular note were the two types of extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) showcased, including the AJX002. Estimated to be around 60 feet (18 meters) long, these torpedo-shaped hulls with pump-jet propulsion systems are clearly designed for stealth and long-endurance missions. The design characteristics suggest a focus on intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and potentially offensive operations in contested underwater environments. The presence of four lifting lugs along the AJX002’s hull suggests crane-assisted deployment, indicating operational readiness and strategic intent to deploy these systems from various platforms, including surface vessels or even larger submarines.
China’s rapidly expanding XLUUV program, with at least five distinct types already operational, positions it as a global leader in this emerging and critical naval domain. This commitment to underwater autonomy offers significant advantages, including persistent surveillance, reduced risk to human personnel, and the ability to operate in challenging or denied areas. The sheer scale and diversity of China’s drone fleet, encompassing air, ground, and sea, highlights a strategic vision that views unmanned systems as central to “intelligentized warfare,” a concept articulated by Chinese defense planners.
The advanced nature of these systems was not lost on international observers. Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst in defense strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), noted that “The unmanned systems that the Chinese are displaying today are quite significantly advanced. They seem to be more advanced in some respects than what we’re seeing in the West, and they’re in operational service.” This assessment directly challenges the notion that the US can maintain an edge solely through technological superiority in AI-powered drones, as Beijing demonstrates it is not only catching up but potentially surpassing traditional powers in certain critical areas of autonomous combat systems. The operational deployment status is particularly significant, indicating these are not mere prototypes but integral parts of the PLA’s current and future capabilities.
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4. **Directed Energy Weapons (Lasers & High-Powered Microwaves)** The parade offered a glimpse into China’s significant progress in a class of weaponry often considered futuristic: directed energy weapons. Two distinct versions of laser weapons were showcased: a massive, ship-based system clearly designed for naval air defense, and a smaller, truck-mounted unit explicitly meant to protect ground troops. These systems, which can also include high-powered microwave technologies, represent a fundamental departure from traditional kinetic warfare, relying on precise electromagnetic energy rather than physical projectiles for target engagement.
The operational advantages of directed energy weapons are considerable, particularly in the context of emerging threats. Instead of kinetic kills, these systems disable targets through intense heat, disruption of internal electrical systems, or blinding of sensors like optics and radar. This method of engagement is remarkably economical, with a single shot from a laser costing only a fraction of a traditional bullet or missile. This cost-effectiveness makes them ideal for countering swarm attacks by drones, where the expense of traditional interceptors quickly becomes prohibitive, allowing for more sustained defensive operations.
The full range of anti-drone systems displayed at the parade included not only high-energy laser weapons but also missile guns and high-power microwave weapons. This indicates a multi-layered approach to countering unmanned aerial threats, suggesting a comprehensive doctrine for air defense in an increasingly complex battlespace. This focus on cost-effective, high-volume defense against swarm attacks suggests a pragmatic and forward-thinking military doctrine that could significantly alter the dynamics of future conflicts, allowing China to defend against a variety of aerial threats without rapidly depleting expensive missile inventories.
5. **China’s Immense Industrial Capacity for Volume Production** Beyond the individual advanced weapon systems, the sheer volume of military hardware exhibited at the parade was a powerful testament to China’s immense industrial capacity. This industrial might is portrayed as the fundamental backbone supporting Beijing’s assertive words and, crucially, its ambition to eventually enforce Xi’s vision of a new world order. The display evoked stark comparisons to the United States’ industrial output during World War II, a period when American industry proved decisive in defeating the Axis powers 80 years ago through an unparalleled surge in wartime production.
However, the underlying message conveyed by the parade was that while the US once possessed this unparalleled industrial prowess, America now reportedly “doesn’t have the capacity to turn out weaponry in the numbers that China can.” This quantitative advantage is a significant factor in Beijing’s strategic calculations, indicating a potential long-term edge in a protracted conflict or in sustaining a massive military buildup. The ability to produce military hardware not just effectively, but in overwhelming numbers, offers a strategic depth that few other nations can match.
Malcolm Davis, senior analyst in defense strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), starkly articulated this point, observing: “What the Chinese are demonstrating here is an ability to develop advanced military capabilities by themselves, deploy them operationally and do it faster than what you’re seeing happen in the West… And also do it in larger volume in terms of sheer numbers of weapons deployed.” This assessment highlights a dual advantage: speed of innovation and deployment, coupled with the capacity for mass production, creating a potent combination that challenges Western defense industrial bases and their traditional competitive edges.
This ability to rapidly develop, deploy, and produce military hardware in vast quantities suggests a strategic advantage that extends beyond technological sophistication alone. It implies resilience, scalability, and a capacity for sustained military buildup that could overwhelm adversaries through sheer numbers, a concept sometimes referred to as ‘quantity over quality’ though China now demonstrates both. This industrial muscle, enabling indigenous production on an enormous scale, further reinforces China’s self-reliance and significantly reduces its vulnerability to external pressures or supply chain disruptions, a critical element in projecting long-term power and resisting “coercion” by foreign weapon suppliers.
6. **Escalating Defense Spending & Regional Military Dominance** The impressive hardware display is profoundly underscored by a relentless and substantial increase in China’s defense spending, signaling a clear trajectory towards regional, and eventually global, military dominance. An analysis published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the eve of the parade revealed that China’s defense expenditure has surged 13-fold in the past three decades. This exponential growth, detailed in a report by Matthew Funaiole and Brian Hart of the CSIS China Power Project, unequivocally illustrates Beijing’s sustained commitment to military modernization and expansion, far outpacing many other nations in terms of percentage growth and absolute increase.
While China’s current defense budget still constitutes roughly a third of that of the United States, the CSIS report highlights a rapid narrowing of this gap, with Beijing cutting it in half over the past 12 years. This trend, if sustained, projects a future where China’s overall military investment approaches parity with, or even surpasses, traditional global powers. Such unwavering financial commitment provides the necessary resources for the expansive research, development, indigenous production, and operational deployment of the sophisticated capabilities witnessed at the parade, fostering a comprehensive military ecosystem. The declared £186 billion for their 2025 defense budget further solidifies this aggressive trajectory.
This aggressive financial investment signals a clear intent to back its geopolitical aspirations with undeniable military superiority. The sustained growth in defense spending not only funds the acquisition of advanced weaponry but also supports extensive training, exercises, and the maintenance of a large, technologically proficient standing army, navy, and air force. It reflects a strategic determination to become the preeminent military power in Asia and a formidable challenger on the global stage, ensuring that its vision for a new world order is underwritten by compelling force, leaving little room for doubt about its long-term ambitions.
7. **The Embrace of “Intelligentized Warfare”**The advanced drone systems and networked capabilities so prominently displayed at the parade offer a tangible illustration of China’s strategic commitment to “intelligentized warfare.” This ambitious doctrine, a cornerstone of modern Chinese military thought, represents a profound philosophical shift in how conflicts are conceived and executed. It moves beyond traditional, platform-centric strategies to comprehensively integrate autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and sophisticated networking across all operational domains, aiming to create a military force that is both highly efficient and deeply interconnected.
Ankit Panda, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, explicitly connected the parade’s drone formations to this strategic vision. He observed, “We’re basically seeing before us what the Chinese describe as intelligent warfare. You see a lot of autonomous capabilities, network capabilities, modern 21st century warfighting systems.” This assessment underscores Beijing’s clear articulation of a future conflict environment, one that is deeply reliant on the seamless integration of unmanned and intelligent systems to gain decisive advantages and shape the operational tempo against adversaries.
This emphasis on intelligentized warfare is a direct challenge to traditional military doctrines, particularly those that have historically prioritized individual platform superiority. By focusing on network-centric operations and deploying a diverse array of autonomous combat systems—from extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) to “loyal wingmen” for stealth fighters and versatile ground drones—China aims to create a complex, multi-layered threat environment. The “operational service” status of many of these systems, as noted by Malcolm Davis, indicates active integration, suggesting China is not merely experimenting but potentially surpassing traditional powers in the practical application of autonomous combat systems.
8. **The Forthcoming Shift in Global Naval Power**While the sheer volume of land-based hardware was visually arresting, perhaps the most profound long-term strategic implication highlighted by the parade relates to the rapidly shifting balance of naval power. The numbers, as detailed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the eve of the parade, paint a stark picture: “China is expected to have 48% more battle force ships than the US by 2030.” This projected quantitative advantage at sea signals a fundamental reordering of maritime influence, particularly in critical regions like the Indo-Pacific, challenging long-standing naval hegemonies.
Historically, the size and capability of a naval fleet have often been a decisive factor in conflict outcomes, influencing everything from deterrence to blockade effectiveness. A 2023 paper by a US Naval War College professor, examining the history of naval wars, found unequivocally that “the bigger fleet almost always wins.” This historical precedent lends considerable weight to China’s burgeoning naval strength, suggesting that its rapid expansion is not merely for defensive purposes but aimed at establishing maritime dominance that could profoundly impact global trade routes, strategic choke points, and power projection capabilities far beyond its immediate shores.
This projected numerical superiority directly challenges the long-standing maritime position of the United States and its allies in crucial waterways. An increase of nearly 50% more battle force ships would provide Beijing with unparalleled flexibility to conduct extended operations, maintain persistent presence in contested waters, and effectively enforce its territorial claims. Coupled with advancements in anti-ship missiles like the “carrier killer” YJ-21, China’s expanding navy represents a formidable and multi-faceted challenge, fundamentally altering the strategic calculus for naval engagements and underpinning Beijing’s vision of a new world order.
The grand spectacle in Beijing, therefore, was not merely a showcase of formidable hardware; it was a carefully choreographed statement of China’s strategic intentions and its assertive vision for a reconfigured global order. From the cutting-edge embrace of “intelligentized warfare” and the undeniable surge in naval power, to the complex geopolitical dance on the world stage, China is demonstrating a comprehensive and integrated approach to securing its preeminent position. While the crucial test of combat experience remains, and the qualitative edge of established powers is still evident, the parade unequivocally signaled that China’s trajectory is set, fundamentally challenging the post-World War II international architecture and demanding a rigorous re-evaluation of global power dynamics and the future of international security.
