China Unveils Next-Gen Modern Warfare Arsenal in Military Parade

China put its modern warfare technology on full display with a massive military parade. The event featured hundreds of advanced weapons and more than 10,000 troops, demonstrating the nation’s growing military strength under President Xi Jinping’s leadership. The country showed its complete nuclear triad – weapons deployable from land, sea, and air – for the first time. A modified intercontinental ballistic missile with a 20,000-kilometer range stood out among the displays.

The parade’s next-generation weaponry could reshape power dynamics in the region. Missiles equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles took center stage. These weapons can travel faster than five times the speed of sound and follow unpredictable flight paths. AI-powered drones of various types added to the impressive display. The parade also featured hypersonic anti-ship missiles that China had tested against U.S. aircraft carrier mockups.

China’s defense spending has grown 13-fold over the last 30 years. Military experts predict China will surpass the United States in battle force ships by 48% by 2030. “The Chinese military is very technologically sophisticated… but most importantly, it just about builds everything it needs indigenously”. This self-reliance marks a major change in global military capabilities and strategic planning.

Xi Jinping hosts global strongmen at military parade

_{Image Source: France 24}

Chinese President Xi Jinping showcased his global leadership role Wednesday by hosting one of Beijing’s largest military parades. The event brought together authoritarian leaders from across the world, creating a remarkable display of diplomatic unity.

Putin and Kim Jong Un join Xi in Tiananmen Square

Xi Jinping made history as he stood beside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Tiananmen Square. The three leaders walked ahead of other officials and climbed the red-carpeted steps to reach their viewing platform overlooking the parade. Their first-ever public appearance together created a powerful image that highlighted new global partnerships. Xi welcomed leaders from 26 countries to the event, most representing non-Western nations.

Parade commemorates 80th anniversary of WWII end

The massive military display celebrated 80 years since Japan surrendered at World War II’s end. Xi’s speech referenced China’s victory over “Japanese aggression” in the “world anti-fascist war” and expressed gratitude to foreign governments for their support. He stressed the war’s lasting relevance today, stating: “Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialog or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games.” The ceremony started with an 80-gun artillery salute and China’s national anthem, “March of the Volunteers,” a song composed during Japan’s invasion of China.

Trump reacts to perceived anti-US alliance

Former U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the gathering on social media with direct comments. “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” Trump wrote. He challenged Xi’s historical acknowledgment, posting: “The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that The United States of America gave to China.” Xi’s speech thanked foreign countries for their assistance but never mentioned the United States specifically.

China unveils next-gen weapons in show of strength

China’s military parade unveiled an array of state-of-the-art weaponry. Analysts call these weapons a big technological leap for China’s armed forces that shows Beijing’s ambition to reshape future battlefields.

DF-61 and DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missiles

The Dongfeng-61 (DF-61) made its public debut among other weapons at the vanguard of China’s strategic arsenal, alongside the upgraded Dongfeng-5C (DF-5C) intercontinental ballistic missile. This is a big deal as it means that the DF-5C’s range surpasses 20,000km with better defense penetration capabilities. Chinese state media reports indicate this liquid-fueled missile system can deploy multiple independent warheads on a single target, putting the entire globe within striking distance. Military analysts believe the new variant can carry up to 12 warheads on a single missile. These systems increase China’s nuclear deterrence capabilities against Western adversaries.

Hypersonic anti-ship missiles and cruise systems

The parade featured an impressive lineup of hypersonic weaponry, including the Yingji-19, Yingji-17, Yingji-20, and Yingji-15 missiles. China’s first operational scramjet-powered hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile, the YJ-19, stands out from the rest. Ships or aircraft can launch these “eagle attack” missiles to inflict critical damage on large vessels. The YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile reaches cruise speeds beyond Mach 6 during midcourse phase and terminal velocities up to Mach 10. Speed and mobility throughout flight make these systems exceptionally hard to intercept with existing defense systems.

Laser air defense and directed energy weapons

The parade highlighted China’s breakthroughs in directed-energy weapons technology through high-energy laser systems and high-power microwave weapons. Chinese scientists have tested a compact high-power microwave gun that fires over 10,000 shots without failure. The system maintains vacuum levels of 10⁻⁷ Pascals for 100 hours during static testing. The Silent Hunter laser weapon system can penetrate five 2mm steel plates at 800 meters. This system was designed to neutralize drones and offers affordable alternatives to expensive conventional systems.

Underwater drones and robotic ground units

The AJX-002 giant submarine drone, measuring about 20 meters in length, captured significant attention. The parade featured at least six such extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs). These torpedo-shaped underwater drones use pump-jet propulsion systems for stealth operations. The display included “robotic wolves” and stealth attack drones called the “loyal wingman” that can fly alongside manned fighter jets. These AI-powered systems align with China’s military strategy to “not only increase, but replace traditional structures”.

Experts question combat readiness of new arsenal

Military analysts remain skeptical about China’s latest weaponry, despite its impressive displays. Defense experts say we can’t declare the PLA a global leader in modern warfare without ground testing.

Lack of ground combat testing

China hasn’t fought a major conflict since the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. The recent India-Pakistan crisis gave us a rare view of Chinese weapons in actual combat. Pakistan used J-10C jets and PL-15 missiles against Indian aircraft. Defense analyst Michael Raska points out that China learned from the Ukraine war where drones wore down enemy defenses. Chinese military seems more ready than Western nations to combine AI with lethal systems. Raska adds: “They believe they can control AI. They are going all the way to integrate it into their systems”.

Comparison with US stealth and strike capabilities

Looking at China’s H-20 stealth bomber next to America’s B-21 Raider shows most important gaps. The Pentagon says China’s bomber would use “5th generation technologies”. American bombers have better thermal management and heat dispersion technologies. China’s H-20 could threaten Hawaii or continental US territories with refueling. US Air Force officials insist the B-21 will be “virtually undetectable” and can “hold any target at risk in the world at any time”.

China’s indigenous production vs. Western alliances

The PLA has gone through “maybe the most rapid technological transformation of any military force since World War II”. Recent senior officer purges point to “serious corruption and performance problems”. Chinese hardware doesn’t work with NATO systems. Beijing now “builds almost everything it needs indigenously”. China keeps its best weapons at home and exports lower-grade systems to strategic collaborators like Pakistan.

Parade signals shift in global power dynamics

_{Image Source: NPR}

The spectacle of Xi’s military parade reveals a dramatic shift in global power as China challenges America’s dominance in Asia.

China’s growing influence in East Asia

Xi delivered a keynote address that declared the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation unstoppable”. This message clearly showed China’s ambitions. The massive display came at a time when China’s defense spending hit ¥1,152.99 billion, which is roughly one-third of America’s military budget. The parade showed China’s resolve to control its nearby seas. Their new underwater drones and hypersonic weapons could create zones that “external navies couldn’t even enter”.

Implications for Taiwan and South China Sea

The Taiwanese government asked its citizens not to attend the parade. They worried that attendance might strengthen Beijing’s territorial claims. Xi mentioned “rejuvenation” several times in his speech – a term that connects directly to his plan for taking over Taiwan. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te responded by dismissing the parade and said: “Taiwan does not commemorate peace with the barrel of a gun”.

Potential arms sales to smaller nations

China now makes up 5.9% of global arms exports and has taken Russia’s place as the biggest weapons supplier to Sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2019-2023, at least 21 African countries bought major Chinese weapons. About 70% of African armies now use Chinese armored vehicles. Norinco, China’s largest weapons company, opened a sales office in Senegal.

US and allies face new strategic challenges

Former US President Trump quickly reacted to the parade with a post: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America”. Pentagon officials expressed their worries about China’s growing arms market. Military analyst Jennifer Parker cautioned that while these displays often involve deception, “we should not underestimate China’s capabilities”.

China’s military parade marks a defining moment in global strategic positioning. Beijing’s display of nuclear capabilities, hypersonic weapons, and AI-powered systems shows its clear intent to challenge existing power structures. President Xi arranged this demonstration to showcase China’s technological prowess and strengthen diplomatic ties with leaders like Putin and Kim Jong Un.

These weapons mean more than just military hardware – they represent China’s broader geopolitical strategy. The DF-61 and DF-5C missiles establish China as a global nuclear power that can strike anywhere. American naval dominance faces a direct challenge from hypersonic anti-ship systems. Western militaries haven’t fully adopted the future warfare concepts shown by China’s underwater drones and autonomous weapons.

Doubts exist about these systems’ battle readiness. Analysts remain skeptical about how well they work without substantial battlefield testing. The rapid pace of China’s military modernization needs careful attention, especially since China now produces almost all its military equipment locally.

These advanced weapons put more pressure on Taiwan and regional neighbors by targeting their defense weak points. Beijing’s influence grows beyond military power as African and other developing regions look to China for military hardware.

American policymakers face a completely different strategic world now. Western militaries’ technological advantage has shrunk by a lot. Future security planning must consider these newly shown Chinese capabilities.

This parade goes beyond national celebration. China has publicly announced its position as a leading military power with global reach and ambition. While questions about battle effectiveness remain, the strategic impact is clear – a new era of military competition has started. China now has both the technology and drive to alter the map based on its vision.