During the rehearsals, the latest hypersonic missiles, air defense systems and unmanned underwater vehicles were seen.
The HQ-29 mobile anti-aircraft system that destroys satellites, hypersonic DF-17, the most powerful DF-41 intercontinental missiles, as well as secret underwater drones — the participation of all these types of weapons was announced at the parade in Beijing on September 3. The latest models of the Chinese defense industry aroused the interest of military specialists from all over the world — they had the opportunity to look at the unique equipment up close. For more information about the technical side of the parade, see the Izvestia article.
Overall victory
The great military parade of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of victory in the Second Sino-Japanese and World War II. Beijing played a key role in the anti-Hitler coalition, being part of the "big Four" together with Great Britain, the USA and the USSR, recalled Alexander Lukin, scientific director of the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
"Eight years of war have become one of the most difficult in China's history, claiming millions of lives," the expert said. — Modern relations between Russia and China allow the two countries to celebrate this important day together. Given that the other members of the Big Four — the United Kingdom and the United States — are currently experiencing tensions with Moscow and Beijing, the joint celebration takes on a special political and diplomatic meaning. Vladimir Putin, as the representative of the successor country of the coalition leader, is one of the main guests of the parade.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
Image Source: iz.ru
Izvestia reference
It was planned that the Tiananmen Square parade would last about 70 minutes. The country's authorities reported that 45 crews representing both traditional and new branches of the armed forces would take part in it. Aviation and unmanned systems have taken a separate place in this row.
The arrival in Beijing was announced by the heads of 26 foreign states and governments, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Similar celebrations have been held regularly in Beijing's main square since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Hypersonic technology
New models of anti-ship missiles manufactured in China are equipped with hypersonic gliding warheads and are designed to strike ships at a distance of 1,000 to 2,000 km, said military expert Dmitry Kornev.
Photo: AP Photo/Andy Wong
Image source: iz.ru
According to him, a modification of the DF-17 medium-range mobile missile equipped with a hypersonic gliding combat unit has already been noticed at the rehearsal. Due to its ability to maneuver in height and direction, it becomes an extremely difficult target for any modern missile defense (ABM) systems.
— For the first time, the DF-26D medium-range ballistic missile on a mobile launcher will be shown to the general public. The uniqueness of this system with a range of about 5,000 km is that it can hit both land and sea targets. Probably, it is this missile that will allow the Chinese army to stop any naval groups on the distant approaches to its territorial waters, of course, subject to reliable targeting," the military expert believes.
Photo: TASS/Zuma
Image source: iz.ru
After China successfully tested a hypersonic missile, it became the second country after Russia to possess such weapons, military expert Vadim Kozyulin emphasized. The development is capable of hitting large surface targets, in particular aircraft carriers, and is seen as a response to the US military buildup in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Dmitry Kornev, the parade will not be complete without the most powerful Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile DF-41. This modern three-stage solid-fuel rocket with a firing range of up to 15,000 km is capable of carrying up to 10 warheads. In addition, work is underway to equip it with hypersonic guided warheads, which will make it even more deadly.
Water and air
For the first time, aerial and marine drones, unique, ultra—large autonomous underwater vehicles, have become the focus of attention. Two types were noticed at the rehearsals of the parade, Dmitry Kornev noted. The first one, designated AJX002, has a length of about 18 m and a body diameter of up to 1.5 m. The second one was hidden by a camouflage coating and looks somewhat larger.
— It is possible to guess the purpose of these machines only by their dimensions. In fact, these are small unmanned submarines. Such devices can conduct surveillance or carry out mine clearance missions, and in the future, they will probably be able to be used as shock vehicles," the expert believes.
Photo: Global Look Press/Cfoto
Image source: iz.ru
The organizers of the celebration also used aerial drones. According to the South China Morning Post, the latest FH-97 stealth drone is considered the first combat-ready Chinese stealth drone that will be able to conduct a "coordinated air war side by side with manned aircraft."
The Chinese army also has the latest aviation equipment at its disposal — fifth-generation J-35 and J-20 fighters, upgraded Y-20B transport aircraft and other aircraft.
An analogue of the "Shell"
Another novelty is the FK—3000 anti-aircraft missile and cannon system on an all-terrain chassis.
— It is designed to combat drones and low-flying targets. Its ammunition consists of 96 short-range missiles. Four missiles are placed in one container, which indicates a high density of fire," Dmitry Kornev noted, noting that this machine can be called an analog of our Pantsir.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
Image source: iz.ru
Experts are also keenly interested in the PLA's powerful anti—missile system, the HQ-29 mobile missile defense system. There are only two large containers with missiles on its launcher.
Experts believe that the complex has a lot in common with the Russian Nudol and the American THAAD system.
—The main task of the HQ-29 is to intercept intercontinental and intermediate—range ballistic missiles in the trans—atmospheric trajectory at a distance of up to a thousand kilometers or more," Dmitry Kornev explained. — According to its technical characteristics, the HQ-29 can shoot down even artificial Earth satellites. And, just as importantly, such systems should also work for hypersonic targets.
New tanks and infantry fighting vehicles
The result of the modernization program, which affects all types of land equipment for the PLA, is the ZTZ—201 main battle tank weighing about 50 tons. This car is significantly lighter than its Western counterparts. It is equipped with a remote-controlled turret with a machine gun, as well as a variety of video cameras and sensors.
Photo: AP Photo/Andy Wong
Image source: iz.ru
The new infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers of the PRC army are equipped with powerful weapons, up to 105 mm cannons, rapid-firing machine guns, as well as active protection systems. It is expected that the combat modules will be remotely controlled and possibly uninhabitable.
Combat robobacks
— China has long been considered "catching up", but has moved on to creating its own analogues and has become self-sufficient. This allows it to actively compete in the global market, offering weapons that sometimes surpass foreign designs. Other notable achievements include autonomous combat systems. In addition to the already well—known unmanned aerial vehicles, China is actively developing ground-based robotic systems, including a combat robot tank," said Vadim Kozyulin.
Photo: Getty Images/China News Service
Image Source: iz.ru
China's technological progress is also reflected in its export policy — Beijing is actively entering international markets, experts say. And despite the lack of combat experience, Chinese engineers and the military are actively studying and adapting someone else's, introducing it into their designs.
Amid growing tensions in the Pacific region and worsening trade relations with the United States, China is using this solemn event to show the world its achievements in the defense sector, military expert Alexei Leonkov believes.
Julia Leonova
