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China is poised to reveal an array of advanced, ship-destroying hypersonic missiles at an upcoming military parade, a move set against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions with Western nations.
Recent satellite imagery offers a glimpse of the impressive arsenal, showing numerous drones and missiles meticulously arranged in a staging area outside Beijing. These preparations precede Wednesday’s highly anticipated parade.
Introducing the YJ-17 Hypersonic Missile
Among the formidable new weapons observed during a dry-run through Beijing’s streets is the soon-to-be-unveiled YJ-17 hypersonic missile. While specific details remain shrouded in secrecy, defense experts anticipate this cutting-edge weapon will achieve speeds of up to Mach 8, equivalent to approximately 6,100 miles per hour.
The YJ-17 is projected to boast a range of 750 miles, enabling it to engage distant naval targets effectively without exposing its launch platforms to potential counter-attacks. Military analysts also suggest the missile could carry warheads weighing between 600 and 1,100 pounds, providing significant armor-piercing capabilities.
This missile appears designed to penetrate heavily fortified warships, serving as a thinly veiled warning to the West to avoid intervention in potential regional conflicts, particularly concerning Taiwan.
Strategic Implications and Expert Insights
Tianran Xu, a senior analyst at Open Nuclear Network, highlighted the strategic intent behind these developments. He noted that the weapons are engineered to increase the “chances of defeating shipborne air-defense systems, and are clearly developed with the aim to suppress the US Navy in the Western Pacific.”
China’s extensive development of anti-ship missiles covering various categories is unparalleled, as Mr. Xu pointed out. Beijing stands as one of the world’s leading developers of hypersonic missiles, which are specifically designed to bypass conventional air-defense systems such as the US Patriot missile.
The United States, China, and Russia have been engaged in an intense arms race to develop these powerful weapons, with Russia notably deploying them against Ukraine last year.
Grand Military Parade and Distinguished Guests
The parade itself, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, is a monumental event for China. President Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a pivotal speech, addressing tens of thousands of soldiers from various brigades, alongside honored veterans, as they march in formation through Tiananmen Square.
The event follows closely on the heels of a significant meeting of world leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Notably, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, India’s Narendra Modi, and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un were among the attendees. Both Putin and Kim Jong-un are anticipated to remain in Beijing as guests of honor to observe the military display, signaling China’s deepening ties with Russia and North Korea amid heightened tensions with the United States.
A Chinese official involved in the parade’s organization, Wu Zeke, confirmed that a substantial number of domestically produced weapons, many making their public debut, would be showcased.
Other Expected Debuts and Geopolitical Landscape
Beyond the YJ-17, other anticipated unveilings include the YJ-15 air-launched missile, along with the YJ-19 and YJ-20 hypersonic missiles. New tanks, advanced fighter jets, and various drones are also expected to feature prominently.
Under President Xi’s leadership, China has invested heavily in modernizing and upgrading its military capabilities. The nation is currently the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter, primarily supplying developing countries such as Pakistan.
In a related development, Japan recently appealed to international leaders to refrain from attending China’s parade, citing its perceived “anti-Japanese overtones.”
The SCO summit, which Putin hailed as a means to “strengthen the SCO’s capacity to respond to contemporary challenges and threats, and consolidate solidarity across the shared Eurasian space,” underscores a broader effort to shape a “fairer multipolar world order.” More than 20 global leaders, including the presidents of Iran and Turkey, attended this largest bloc meeting since its establishment in 2001.