Impressed by the new generation of weapons in China's military parade
The September 3 military parade in Beijing, China showcased many advanced weapons, including tanks, ICBMs, UAVs and laser cannons.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•03/09/2025
The highlight of the parade, which lasted more than 70 minutes and involved more than 12,000 soldiers and hundreds of new domestically-made weapons, was the appearance of strategic missiles. The most prominent were a series of hypersonic missiles, described as moving many times faster than the speed of sound, surpassing the interception capabilities of most current defense systems. Along with that is the appearance of intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are considered the "backbone" of China's nuclear deterrent. Analytical sources from The Guardian, Reuters or SCMP all pointed out that Beijing brought to the parade advanced variants such as the DF-41 with the ability to carry multiple independent warheads and attack targets at a distance of over 12,000 km.
There is also the appearance of the DF-61 - a missile that is said to be in the final stages of development, demonstrating the ambition to maintain nuclear deterrence alongside the US and Russia. If missiles demonstrate deterrence, the air force in this parade is a clear demonstration of Beijing's ambition to control the skies. Squadrons of stealth fighters are arranged to perform next to the missile array, creating a symbolic image of the combined power of strategic firepower and air superiority. The highlight that attracted the most attention was the FH-97 stealth combat UAV, dubbed “Loyal Wingman” by analysts. This is a drone line designed to coordinate with manned aircraft in combat, capable of carrying weapons and performing dangerous missions without the need for direct pilot control. The presence of the FH-97 at Tiananmen Square has led many experts to believe that China has moved closer to the concept of swarm airpower - where UAVs can coordinate large-scale operations at a much lower cost than traditional aircraft.
Notably, the parade also marked the first time that unmanned underwater vehicles were introduced to the public. Among them, the name AJX002 was mentioned as a large self-propelled torpedo, capable of operating for long periods of time in the deep sea. In addition to air force and missiles, another major highlight is the appearance of the HQ-29 air defense system, which is described as a “satellite-killing shield.” According to analysis from CNA, the HQ-29 is capable of intercepting missiles at altitudes of up to 500 km, meaning it can not only protect the sky but also disable enemy surveillance or communication satellites in the event of a conflict. Along with the HQ-29, Beijing also revealed laser weapons systems and a network of electronic warfare UAVs. Although they have not yet been released in detail, their appearance in the parade was enough to send a message that the Chinese military has entered the deployment phase of technologies that were only theoretical not long ago. In addition to strategic weapons, the parade is also an opportunity for China to affirm its domestic weapon production capacity. A series of new generation tanks, heavy armored vehicles and advanced fighter aircraft were introduced, many models were confirmed to be completely domestic products and were shown to the public for the first time. This not only enhances the image of defense autonomy but also sends a message about the ability to maintain supplies of equipment despite external technological controls.
In particular, the QBZ-191 rifle - a new infantry weapon of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, became a highlight in the hands of the honor guard during the parade. With its compact design, light weight and good recoil control, the QBZ-191 is considered a complete replacement for the controversial QBZ-95 models. The introduction of the QBZ-191 into official service shows that the PLA has entered a phase of synchronized modernization, not only at the strategic level but also in the most basic combat units. The September 3, 2025 event in Beijing was clearly more than just a celebration. With a series of new weapons appearing, from hypersonic missiles, long-range ICBMs, combat UAVs, stealth aircraft, to the HQ-29 air defense system and other high-tech weapons, the world saw a China that was rapidly advancing on the path of military modernization.
The simultaneous combination of strategic deterrence, air superiority, space control, and subsea expansion shows that Beijing is building a military force with comprehensive combat capabilities, spanning the ground, sky, and space.
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