China On Parade: The Victory Day Display

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5 Sept 2025

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China’s most recent parade gives us a look at its more modern designs.

With 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Asia, on the 3rd of September, China would stage a military parade in Tiananmen Square to mark the event. The parade, which would be attended by several notable world leaders, aimed to showcase new hardware while sending a message about China’s posture and long-term geopolitical aims.

Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin were just some of the more notable appearances. Source: Associated Press.

From an analysis perspective, it was an interesting parade, as it would mark the first time that we would see China’s full nuclear triad making an appearance. While there were plenty of known and existing systems participating in the parade, there were also several new systems and designs that would be seen for the first time. It’s these systems that will be the focus of today’s article.

Multi-Domain Warfare

If the war in Ukraine has shown us anything, it’s that multi-domain warfare will be a key part of projecting power into the future. Here, air, land, sea and cyber forces will all work cohesively to share information and work collaboratively towards a common goal.

This is noteworthy as the parade helps to highlight that network-centric warfare methods have helped to influence hardware procurement and designs. While many of these systems lack battle testing, it clearly shows that the modern Chinese military is aiming to design and produce hardware that helps to show a clear pivot towards hi-tech capabilities that complement the modern battlefield.

With that said, let’s take a look at some of the more unique systems that were on display.

The modernised DF-5C gives global reach while carrying multiple warheads. Here’s the earlier DF-5B. Source: Wikipedia.

The Upgraded DF-5C Missile

The DF-5 is an established, two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile that has gone through upgrades that aim to boost both range and payload. This resulted in the modernised DF-5C model.

With a range of more than 12,000 miles and the ability to carry multiple nuclear independent re-entry vehicles, the DF-5 plays a key role in China’s nuclear triad.
Press enter or click to view image in full size

For many, the DF-61 would be the highlight of the show, taking many by surprise. Source: Wikipedia

The New DF-61 Mobile Missile

An entirely new design, the DF-61 still bears a striking resemblance to the earlier DF-41 Missile. A mobile, ground-based system, the parade would showcase a quad pack of the new missiles, which are believed to have a range in excess of 7,000 miles.

While information on the DF-61 is still coming to light, it’s believed to be a successor of the earlier system, while its ability to be either Silo launched or carried by a 16-wheel transporter, erector, launcher (TEL) gives it broad flexibility on the battlefield.

Like the DF-5 mentioned earlier, the new DF-61 is believed to be able to carry nuclear weapons.

The LY-1 Laser is a directed energy weapon that aims to disrupt the usage of small drones. Source: CGTN

The LY-1 Laser

If the war in Ukraine has shown us anything, it’s that consumer-grade drone hardware can prove to be a significant disruption on the battlefield when left unchecked.

With drones being cheap and affordable, it makes sense that militaries spend more time looking for cost-effective ways to counter such systems.

The LY-1 laser is the PLAN’s attempt at bringing such systems to life. While details are still thin, this naval laser system aims to give a cheap and effective way of dealing with drones, missiles or even helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft.

It’s believed to work as part of a layered air defence system that aims to complement missile systems like the HQ-10 and HQ-16.

Drones, Lots of Drones

Drones of all shapes and sizes would also be a key part of the parade. In keeping with the multi-domain theme, we’d see naval, aerial and land-based drones on display.

An interesting one was the AJX002 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV). This large, torpedo-shaped design looks to be optimised for surveillance and networked operation.

Multiple UUV’s will undoubtly strengthen China’s position in the South China Sea. Source: Associated Press

China’s own Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototypes would also make an appearance. Similar to Boeing’s Ghost Bat design, the drone is designed to be operated in tandem with manned fighters. Multiple CCA systems were observed during the parade.

There was an impressive amount of hardware on display. Source: Associated Press

There would also be an assortment of light tactical drones of various types, including systems for aerial reconnaissance and robotic canines similar to the US designs by Boston Dynamics.

The YJ-15 supersonic anti-ship missile would make an appearance for the first time. Source: Associated Press

The YJ-15 Anti-Ship Missile

The YJ-15 is unique in that its first appearance would take place in the victory day parade. A supersonic, anti-ship cruise missile, the YJ-15 is powered by a ramjet engine and draws on the experiences and design of the earlier YJ-12 missile system.

Unfortunately, at this point, actual performance statistics remain speculative. However, the weapons design seems to indicate that its ramjet engines provide good, high-speed performance at sea level.

Warhead sizing is unknown, and the system appears to be compatible with pre-existing box launchers. The YJ-15 is the next step forward in providing advanced, anti-ship capabilities to threaten maritime assets.

Misc Systems

These were just a snapshot of a few of the more interesting systems that were on parade. Other things that didn’t make the cut were an assortment of Electronic Warfare systems, as well as Infantry Fighting vehicles that sported organic drone defence systems.

Staffing would also be an area of interest. We would see cyber and information support units also marching in the parade, helping to highlight the increasingly important role that information warfare plays in the modern battlespace.

A significant amount of airpower would also be seen duing the parade. Source: Associated Press.

Opinion

Propaganda is pervasive in the modern world, and a military parade provides a perfect opportunity to help shape the narrative. While the parade was an interesting snapshot into the road the Chinese military is taking into the future, it’s worth remembering that many of these new systems are only being seen for the first time.

The Iranian Qaher-313 saga is a great example of something not being as it seems, and when it comes to prototype or unknown weapons, there’s plenty that we still don’t know regarding these designs.

One thing is clear, though. While we may lack performance data or production numbers on some of these systems, it is evident that the latest push towards modernisation has resulted in a shift to a more established organic, tech-centric array of warfighting equipment on land, sea and air.

If you’d like to view the parade for yourself, Associated Press has a great livestream that you can view via this link.

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