<a title="Chinese fighter" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/defence/pakistan-s-j-35-deal-a-new-air-threat-to-india/14459" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a> has once again sent a powerful signal to the world through its grand military parade in Beijing, unveiling an unprecedented display of strategic weapons, stealth aircraft, and missile defence systems. The event, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Asia, was less about historical remembrance and more about demonstrating the People&rsquo;s Liberation Army&rsquo;s (PLA) transformation into a global force capable of challenging Western superpowers.
Among the most eye-catching weapons was the Dongfeng-5C, an upgraded intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 13,000km and the ability to carry up to ten nuclear warheads. Its presence underlined China&rsquo;s ability to strike targets across continents. The JL-1 air-launched nuclear missile and the JL-3 submarine-launched version also featured prominently, signalling Beijing&rsquo;s determination to reinforce its nuclear triad across land, sea, and air.
The DF-26D ballistic missile, dubbed the &ldquo;Guam Killer&rdquo;, drew considerable attention for its potential to strike US military bases in the Pacific. With a range of 5,000km and dual nuclear-conventional capability, it stands as a clear warning to American naval forces. Equally significant was the unveiling of the CJ-1000 hypersonic cruise missile, believed to provide long-range strike capability, extending China&rsquo;s strategic reach across Asia and beyond.
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China also showcased its most advanced combat aircraft. The J-35 stealth fighter and J-15T carrier-based aircraft were paraded as part of the Navy&rsquo;s transition from near-sea defence to long-range operations. The world also witnessed the debut of the twin-seat J-20S stealth fighter, capable of controlling drones, alongside the upgraded J-20A variant. In a world-first, five stealth fighter models thundered past Tiananmen Square in formation, a symbolic statement of air dominance and technological maturity.
On the ground, the parade introduced China&rsquo;s Type 100 main battle tank, equipped with an unmanned turret, advanced radar, augmented reality technology, and an active protection system. This futuristic platform represents a fundamental shift in tank design, providing greater space for armaments and enhanced crew protection.
China also emphasised its layered air and missile defence network, displaying six advanced systems including the HQ-20, HQ-22A, and the HQ-29 exoatmospheric interceptor, making their public debut. These systems, supported by the proven HQ-9C and HQ-11, illustrate Beijing&rsquo;s determination to shield its skies from drones, aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats.
Military observers interpret the parade as a carefully calibrated message to the West and regional rivals. The combination of nuclear-capable missiles, hypersonic platforms, stealth aircraft, and missile defence systems projects not just capability but intent: China is asserting itself as a peer military power unwilling to be contained within its near seas.
In essence, Beijing&rsquo;s parade was less about ceremony and more about strategy. It was a global broadcast of its comprehensive deterrence posture, designed to remind adversaries that China now wields the tools of strategic parity&mdash;and perhaps superiority&mdash;in multiple domains of warfare.

J-35 stealth fighter participated Chinese parade (image courtesy Xinhua news agency)

Beijing showcases nuclear, stealth and hypersonic might in grand military parade

China’s parade: New weapons for the world?

Beijing showcases nuclear, stealth and hypersonic might in grand military parade

September 3, 2025 | 15:23 IST