'Guam Killer' missile to AI drones: Full list of powerful Chinese weapons showcased at mega military parade

China military parade. AFP photos)

In the heart of Beijing, tanks and truck-mounted missiles rolled in as part of the mega Victory Day parade marking the 80th anniversary of Chinese forces’ victory over Japan.

Two large signs displaying 1945 and 2025, along with a military band and choir performing songs, set the stage for their leader Xi Jinping. The President, who had invited key partners such as Russia and North Korea, sent a message to the world that the New World Order will have China at its helm.

The parade, which ended with the song “Without the Communist Party, There Is No Modern China”, showcased a series of missiles, drones, aircraft, and laser weapons. This is the first time since the Cold War that a country has displayed such a massive arsenal.

Russia is known for its military parades, but the ongoing Ukraine war has somewhat diminished their shine. On the other hand, Chinese weapons are the signature of Xi Jinping’s new power move, as the PLA displayed a remarkable amount of hardware down Beijing’s most famous thoroughfare, the Avenue of Eternal Peace. So, what are the weapons showcase by China? Here’s the most exhaustive list with clear categorisation:

Missile Arsenal

JL-1 Air-Launched Nuclear Missile: Making its debut atop a military truck, the JL-1 marks China’s first air-launched nuclear system. It is considerably smaller than the JL-3 submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile, also displayed.

DF-5C: The newest upgrade of China’s oldest silo-based ICBM series, the DF-5C has a range beyond 13,000 km and is believed capable of carrying up to 10 independently targetable nuclear warheads.

DF-26D “Guam Killer”: A fresh variant of the DF-26, this intermediate-range missile can carry both nuclear and conventional payloads with a 5,000 km range. It is considered a dual-role missile, with an anti-ship capability aimed at U.S. bases and fleets in the Pacific.

CJ-1000 Hypersonic Cruise Missile: Making its parade debut, this long-range hypersonic system is thought to bridge the gap between intermediate-range and ICBM-class weapons, with several thousand kilometers of reach.

YJ-15 & YJ-19 Anti-Ship Missiles: The ramjet-powered YJ-15 is designed for high-speed strikes, while the scramjet-driven YJ-19 is believed to be a hypersonic anti-ship system, possibly using a glide vehicle warhead.

Air-Launched and Carrier-Based Aircraft

Carrier-Based Fighters: The J-35, China’s stealthy next-gen carrier fighter, was presented alongside the J-15T (catapult- and ski-jump-capable), the J-15DH, and the electronic warfare-focused J-15DT. Together, they highlight advances in fleet air wing combat and electronic warfare.

J-20 Families: The J-20A stealth fighter with upgraded engines and the twin-seat J-20S, designed to control combat drones, were on display. The land-based J-35A variant also appeared.

Naval Bombers: The new H-6J, optimized for maritime strike with upgraded avionics, engines, and YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles, was introduced as the PLA Navy’s replacement for older H-6G models.

Surveillance and AEW&C: The KJ-500A (now aerial-refuelable), the carrier-based KJ-600 (debut appearance, similar to U.S. Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye), and the trusted Y-20A/B transport aircraft (the latter powered by Chinese WS-20 turbofans) formed key elements of airborne command and lift.

YY-20 Tanker: Demonstrated in live coverage, the aerial refueler enables extended-range bomber missions and supports heavily loaded aircraft during long-distance operations.

Unmanned Systems

AI-Enabled Drones: A large fleet of drones was presented, including reconnaissance-strike systems, wingman drones, carrier-capable unmanned helicopters, and stealth designs capable of autonomous swarm operations.

GJ-11 Stealth UCAV: With a flying wing design and internal weapons bays, the GJ-11 represents China’s cutting edge in unmanned strike and surveillance roles.

Extra-Large Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs): Commentators highlighted their utility for deep-sea warfare, especially in the context of protecting critical underwater infrastructure, inspired by lessons from events like the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.

Air Defence and Anti-Missile Systems

HQ-20: A new long-range air defence system resembling the HQ-9 but designed around smaller interceptor missiles.

HQ-29: A high-altitude interceptor system reportedly intended to defeat ballistic missiles in midcourse and engage satellites in low-Earth orbit.

HQ-11/FM-3000: A mobile short-to-mid-range all-weather system combining vertical launch missiles with a close-in weapon system, designed to cover point defences.

Ground-Based Heavy Weapons

PHL-16 Rocket Launcher (PCL-191): Dubbed China’s answer to the U.S. HIMARS, the long-range system is positioned as a critical asset for Taiwan Strait contingencies.

Type 99B Main Battle Tank: The latest version of China’s flagship third-generation MBT features upgrades in firepower, protection, and mobility, signifying ongoing modernization of the PLA’s armoured forces.