At the Parade in China: Laser Weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a Missile Capable of 'Striking Anywhere in the World'
China showcased intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, laser defense systems, and unmanned submarines during a massive military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, attended by leaders including Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.
At the parade in China: laser weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a missile capable of 'striking anywhere in the world.'
The Chinese development and the message to the United States: At the military display in Tiananmen Square, intercontinental ballistic missiles, laser weapon systems, and unmanned submarines capable of laying mines were presented.
At the major military parade held yesterday (Wednesday) in Beijing, China displayed unmanned underwater vehicles, powerful hypersonic missiles, laser weapons, and new radar systems.
The parade served as a show of force by the Chinese military during a period of heightened tension with Washington.
Many foreign leaders attended the parade, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
In a speech before the event, which marked eighty years since the end of World War II, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that his country was "unstoppable."
The intercontinental ballistic missile on display, the DF-5C, represents a significant upgrade in Beijing’s military technology.
The liquid-fueled missile is, according to the nationalist newspaper Global Times, capable of striking "any point on Earth." The paper reported that the missile "stands guard at all times and serves as an effective deterrent to prevent wars."
Also displayed were two large unmanned underwater vehicles shaped like torpedoes, the AJX002 and the HSU100.
Like the missiles, they were mounted on trucks for presentation.
According to defense analyst Alex Luck, the AJX002 is likely intended for reconnaissance missions, while the HSU100 is "more mysterious," though it is reported to have the ability to lay mines.
The AFP news agency noted that despite Washington’s advantage over Beijing at sea, China’s program for unmanned underwater vehicles is the largest of its kind in the world.
In addition, other unmanned vessels and drones were displayed at the parade.
Laser weapons were also showcased in Tiananmen Square.
Several LY-1 systems were exhibited, which, according to Alex Luck, are at least in advanced testing stages.
Laser weapons are highly accurate, capable of inflicting significant damage, and relatively inexpensive to operate compared to other weapons.
Prior to the event, a social media account linked to the Chinese military claimed that the parade would reveal "the world’s most powerful air defense laser system."
Alongside these, four anti-ship missiles were displayed: the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20.
According to the French news agency, YJ stands for Ying Ji, or "Eagle Strike" in Chinese.
These missiles can be launched from ships or aircraft and are capable of inflicting major damage on large vessels.
Except for the YJ-15, all of the missiles are hypersonic, traveling at speeds at least five times faster than the speed of sound.