Satellite images reveal China’s advanced weapons ahead of Beijing military parade

Satellite images of a staging ground for China’s September 3 military parade reveal a wide array of advanced weaponry, including armoured vehicles, air defence systems, artillery, rocket launchers, and cruise missiles.

The display is expected to feature China’s latest anti-ship missiles, combat drones, and nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, highlighting the country’s growing defence capabilities and potentially appealing to international buyers, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“The new People’s Liberation Army weapons incorporate cutting-edge technology such as hypersonic systems to increase the ‘chances of defeating shipborne air defence systems, and are clearly developed with the aim to suppress the US Navy in the Western Pacific,’” said Tianran Xu, a senior analyst at the security think tank.

He added that the emphasis on precision strike and unmanned offensive and defensive capabilities shows China’s goal “to win a high-tech, high-intensity war. Few countries have developed so many anti-ship missiles that cover all imaginable categories.”

The parade marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and is a major event for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will preside over the proceedings in Tiananmen Square.

It follows a summit where Xi is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other world leaders. 

Weapons-importing nations attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Tianjin are also likely to view the parade.

China has been investing heavily to modernise its military. It is the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, with most customers being developing countries such as Pakistan.

Recent satellite images suggest that the DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of striking the US, will feature in the display. Analysts also expect to see hypersonic anti-ship missiles, supersonic cruise missiles, drones, and new tanks and infantry vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and active protection systems.

“Various new missiles (ship UVLS launch?) confirmed, my 2c on roles: YJ-15, ramjet compact supersonic? YJ-17, waverider hypersonic glide? YJ-19, ?maybe scramjet hypersonic? YJ-20, biconical hypersonic/aeroballistic? Possibly seen before from 055..” noted defence analyst Rick Joe.

By Aghakazim Guliyev