In the heart of Beijing, under the watchful eyes of the world, China is gearing up for what promises to be one of the most spectacular and revealing military parades in recent history. This grand event, set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II, isn’t just a ceremonial display—it’s a bold statement of technological prowess and military might. Scheduled for September 3, 2025, the parade has already sparked global intrigue thanks to a flood of leaked images and videos from ongoing rehearsals. These glimpses reveal a treasure trove of previously unseen missiles, drones, and other advanced weaponry, signaling a dramatic leap in the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capabilities. At the forefront of this showcase are a series of cutting-edge missiles that could redefine modern warfare, particularly in high-stakes domains like anti-ship strikes, hypersonic attacks, and ballistic defense. As tensions simmer in regions like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, these revelations couldn’t come at a more pivotal time, raising questions about global power balances and the arms race accelerating across Asia and beyond.
The buzz began over the weekend when social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), exploded with photos and footage of massive convoys rumbling through Beijing’s streets. Trucks laden with shrouded missiles, armored vehicles, and support systems painted a picture of meticulous preparation. Among the stars of this pre-parade spectacle is a quartet of missiles bearing the designations YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill projectiles; they represent the pinnacle of Chinese aerospace engineering, drawing from decades of investment in stealth, speed, and precision. Historically, the YJ prefix has been reserved for versatile cruise missiles capable of targeting ships or land-based assets, launched from a variety of platforms including aircraft, naval vessels, submarines, and ground-based systems. But these new variants push the envelope further, incorporating hypersonic technologies that make them nearly impossible to intercept.
Let’s dive deeper into each of these game-changers, starting with the YJ-15. This missile appears to be a ramjet-powered supersonic design, compact yet lethal, echoing the aesthetics of its predecessor, the YJ-12. The YJ-12, which made waves during its 2019 parade debut, is a multi-platform anti-ship cruise missile that can scream through the skies at supersonic speeds, evading radar and striking with devastating accuracy. It’s often compared to the Soviet-era Kh-31, but with modern Chinese twists. The manufacturer, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), has touted export versions like the CM-302 for their dual-role capabilities—hitting naval targets or pounding ground installations. The YJ-15 seems to build on this foundation, potentially offering enhanced range, better maneuverability, and improved sensor fusion for real-time targeting. Imagine a missile that not only outruns interceptors but adapts mid-flight to changing battlefield conditions; that’s the kind of edge the PLA is aiming for.
Moving to the YJ-17, things get even more futuristic. Its sleek, pointed nose screams hypersonic potential—speeds exceeding Mach 5, where traditional defenses falter. Speculation abounds that this could be a ‘waverider’ missile, a design that rides the shockwaves generated during hypersonic flight to generate extra lift and extend its range. Waveriders aren’t new in concept; they’ve been theorized since the Cold War, but China seems to have cracked the code for practical deployment. Images from the rehearsals show the missile still partially wrapped, but close-ups hint at a narrow slit inlet, suggesting an air-breathing engine like a scramjet. Unlike boost-glide vehicles, which rely on a rocket booster before gliding erratically to their target, the YJ-17 might sustain powered flight throughout, making it ideal for evasive maneuvers against advanced air defenses. There’s debate among experts: Is it purely a cruise missile, or does it detach a hypersonic glide vehicle? Either way, its trajectory—shallow and unpredictable—poses a nightmare for adversaries, compressing reaction times and overwhelming missile shields.
Not to be outdone, the YJ-19 stands out with its prominent air intake visible even under camouflage. This feature points squarely to a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile, designed for sustained high-speed flight deep into enemy territory. Scramjets, or supersonic combustion ramjets, ignite fuel in airflow moving faster than sound, enabling efficiencies that traditional engines can’t match. The YJ-19’s overall profile aligns with global hypersonic trends, like Russia’s Zircon or the U.S.’s Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC). In a maritime context, it could target carrier strike groups from hundreds of miles away, closing the “kill chain” in minutes rather than hours. The implications are profound: In a potential conflict over Taiwan, such missiles could neutralize U.S. naval assets before they even position for intervention, shifting the strategic calculus in Beijing’s favor.
Then there’s the YJ-20, which breaks from the cruise missile mold with its apparent ballistic design. Featuring a multi-stage configuration, it resembles a mysterious weapon glimpsed in a 2022 video allegedly fired from a Type 055 destroyer—previously dubbed the YJ-21 by observers. This biconical shape suggests aeroballistic or hypersonic capabilities, possibly optimized for vertical launch from ships or submarines. Long-time PLA watcher Rick Joe has linked it to renders of a triple-pack vertical launch system (VLS) insert, potentially for the upcoming Type 095 nuclear-powered attack submarine or even surface combatants. Submarine-launched variants would add a stealthy dimension, allowing strikes from underwater without surfacing. Collectively, these YJ-series missiles underscore China’s push for dominance in high-speed strikes, especially at sea. Hypersonics don’t just complicate defenses—they accelerate engagements, perfect for time-sensitive targets like moving warships or command centers.
But the parade rehearsals have unveiled more than just this quartet. Unmarked missiles on massive transporters have fueled speculation about new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or long-range systems. Some vehicles, however, appear to be silo loaders for the DF-31 series, part of China’s expanding nuclear deterrent. With silos multiplying across the country—creating a potential “shell game” to confuse enemies—these assets highlight Beijing’s focus on survivable second-strike capabilities. Another standout is what looks like a stealthy ground-launched cruise missile, angular and green-camouflaged, reminiscent of the U.S. Tomahawk. This could replace older models like the KD-20, offering low-observable flight for land-attack missions. Its subsonic speed might seem modest compared to hypersonics, but stealth ensures it slips through radar nets undetected.
Air defense systems are also stealing the spotlight. The HQ-11, HQ-16, and HQ-19 are expected to parade, but whispers surround the HQ-29 and HQ-26—advanced anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs) for intercepting incoming threats, even in space. The HQ-29’s massive six-axle launcher suggests exo-atmospheric kills, akin to hitting a bullet with a bullet at hypersonic speeds. The HQ-26 might mirror the U.S. Standard Missile-3, providing mid-course interception against ballistic arcs. Adding to the mix is the newly spotted HQ-20, a long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) with eight interceptors per launcher, smaller than the HQ-9’s but packed for volume fire—much like the Patriot system’s PAC-3 evolution.
Beyond missiles, the parade promises a holistic display of PLA modernization: new heavy tanks, uncrewed underwater vehicles, and a flyover with advanced drones. TWZ has covered the air combat drones debuting here, from stealthy recon birds to swarm-capable attackers. This isn’t mere pageantry; it’s a signal to rivals like the U.S., Japan, and India that China’s military is evolving rapidly, blending quantity with quality. Of course, some elements might be aspirational mock-ups, but history shows China’s parades often preview real tech—the DF-17 hypersonic glider from 2019 is now operational.
As September 3 approaches, expect more leaks and analyses. These developments aren’t isolated; they’re part of a broader strategy to deter aggression and project power. For military enthusiasts, policymakers, and global watchers, this parade is a must-watch window into the future of warfare.
