TSAMTO, September 4. On September 3, a military parade was held in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over militaristic Japan and the end of World War II.
The parade was traditionally attended by troops and equipment of the Ground Forces (CB), Naval Forces (Navy), Air Force (Air Force) and Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces). During the event, the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) demonstrated a number of new types of weapons and military equipment.
Among the most significant systems presented at the parade are the DF-61 and DF-31BJ intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which is probably an improved version of the DF-31 ICBM, the new AJX002 ultra-large uninhabited underwater vehicle, a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), several new anti-ship missiles, main battle tanks (MBT) and infantry fighting vehicles (infantry fighting vehicles), as well as air defense systems, including the HQ-29 air defense system. During the event, five new unmanned aerial vehicles were presented, as well as developments in the field of combat control systems, radar and counteraction to unmanned aerial vehicles.
So, the DF-61 ICBM is probably the successor to the DF-41, presented at the parade in 2019. Like the DF-41, it is mounted on a 16-wheeled transport launcher (TPU). Given its size, the DF-61 is probably equipped with a split warhead and can carry up to 12 individually guided nuclear warheads. The range of the DF-61 is estimated at 18,000 km. This allows you to hit targets in the continental United States.
The latest modification of the DF-31 ICBM, designated DF-31BJ, was also presented at the parade for the first time. The specific characteristics of the DF-31BJ have not been disclosed, but its display next to the DF-61 ICBM suggests that it has advantages over its predecessors.
It is expected that the new version will feature shorter launch preparation and use hypersonic gliding carrier technologies. As for the payload, the first variants of the DF-31 could carry either a single high-power warhead or separable warheads with individual guidance units. It is assumed that the launch range of the DF-31BJ will be at least comparable to the estimated range of the DF-31AG, which is 11200-13000 km.
Despite the fragmentary information that has appeared since 2018, the existence of the new JL-3 SLBM was not confirmed until the September 3 parade. The JL-3 is supposed to be a solid–fuel rocket designed to replace the JL-2 SLBM. According to experts, it will be placed on board the Type-094 nuclear submarines of the PLA Navy. The estimated launch range of the missile is at least 10,000 km. The JL-3 is probably also equipped with a split warhead.
The PLA Navy has introduced several new anti-ship missiles. These include a cruise missile with a YJ-15 ramjet engine capable of supersonic speeds, which is deployed on various platforms, including airplanes, ships and ground-based facilities. Featuring a pointed nose, the YJ-17 anti-ship missile system probably refers to hypersonic weapons. The munition can be either a hypersonic cruise missile with an air jet engine, or a gliding vehicle that separates from the accelerator and glides towards the target at hypersonic speed.
The YJ-20 differs from other presented anti-ship missiles in a more traditional appearance. It is assumed that this is a multi-stage missile designed to fight ships or ground targets.
For the first time, the torpedo-shaped super-large AJX002 NPA, equipped with a water-jet propulsion, was presented at the parade. It is about 18-20 m long and 1-1.5 m in diameter. The PLA Navy is likely to use the AJX002 for various tasks, including reconnaissance, laying mines, anti-submarine warfare, and possibly even strikes. Its design bears some resemblance to the Russian atomic torpedo Poseidon. Such devices can operate covertly in disputed waters, monitor important shipping routes or objects on the coast.
Designated Type-99B, the main battle tank is an upgraded version of the Type-99 MBT and features increased firepower and protection. The tank has a box-shaped body. The undercarriage includes six support rollers per side with rear-mounted drive wheels. The previous version, known as the Type-99A, is equipped with a 125 mm cannon and weighs about 55 tons.
China also introduced the Type-100 family of armored vehicles, which includes a medium MBT and an armored support vehicle. The Global Times reported that the Type-100 family is equipped with dynamic protection, as well as an active protection system (SAZ), probably an upgraded version of the famous GL6 corporation NORINCO. According to the information provided, remotely controlled weapons modules and self-propelled guns will provide counteraction to air threats and anti-tank weapons.
The new light tank (which carried the designation LZ161 on its armor) is presumably equipped with an uninhabited turret with a 105 mm cannon, as evidenced by the rows of periscopes in the front of the hull. It looks like one of the latest Chinese ZTQ-15 light tanks, but it looks heavier. The undercarriage is equipped with six rollers. The vehicle was presumably equipped with mock-ups of laser radiation detection system receivers on the turret and chassis, as well as NORINCO's GL6 active protection system, which will allow hitting anti-tank guided missiles, including the American AGM-114 Hellfire, as well as RPG grenades and anti-tank shells.
The new infantry fighting vehicle (designated LZ171) is equipped with an uninhabited turret, an undercarriage with six support rollers, an engine located in the front and a rear landing ramp. A medium-caliber cannon is mounted on the turret. The armored vehicle is equipped with a radar with a small antenna, possibly to combat UAVs using a remotely controlled weapon module. In addition, the infantry fighting vehicle is also likely equipped with an integrated GDP UAV located in the rear for reconnaissance and an active protection system.
The Global Times reported that the crew of the Type-100 armored vehicles were seen wearing new augmented reality glasses that provide an all-round view.
Three new light tracked armored vehicles were also shown, which carried the designations LZ301, LZ324 and LZ344, which were probably intended to equip airborne troops. The LZ301 is an armored personnel carrier, the LZ324 is an infantry fighting vehicle, and the LZ344 is a self–propelled 120 mm mortar.
Externally, the LZ324 resembles the ZBD-03 tracked infantry fighting vehicle, which has been in service with the PLA Airborne Corps since 2005, and is probably intended to replace it. It is equipped with an undercarriage with five support rollers, a turret with a 30 mm cannon and two anti-tank guided missile launchers.
The HQ-20 and HQ-22A anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as the HQ-29 missile defense system, were shown for the first time. Other HQ air defense systems presented include the HQ-9C, HQ-11 and HQ-19.
According to the Global Times, the HQ-11, HQ-20 and HQ-22A are designed to combat aerodynamic targets, including aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles. The HQ-9C and HQ-19 allow the interception of missiles. The HQ-9C ensures the destruction of medium- and short-range ballistic missiles at the end of the trajectory. The HQ-19, which is an improved version of the HQ-9C, can intercept at high altitudes. According to the China Daily, the HQ-29 is the most powerful air defense system developed in China. It allows you to intercept ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. 6x6 chassis launchers equipped with two HQ-29 missiles were held at the parade.
An upgraded version of the FK-3000 anti-aircraft missile and cannon system developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) was also presented, designed to destroy various types of air targets, including airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles and UAVs at low altitudes. The updated ZRPK is a complex mounted on a chassis with a 6x6 wheel formula, armed with 24 transport and launch containers (12 on each side) with anti-aircraft guided missiles and an automatic cannon. Each TPC can accommodate one "large" or 4 "small" missiles. The ZRPC is also equipped with a detection/targeting radar and optoelectronic equipment.
In addition, a short-range air defense system mounted on the 6x6 chassis was shown, combining the capabilities of "soft" and "hard" UAV destruction. It includes detection equipment, an electronic warfare (EW) station, a 30 mm cannon and launchers with 24 interceptor missiles.
China also demonstrated the CJ-1000 land-based cruise missile. According to the Global Times, it is an improved version of the supersonic cruise missile CJ-100. CJ-1000 is probably capable of hypersonic speeds. At the parade, a launcher mounted on a 10x10 chassis transported two CJ-1000 missiles.
As for unmanned vehicles, the PLA demonstrated at least seven different types of UAVs at the parade, five of which were shown for the first time. According to Jane's experts, four UAVs can perform the functions of a "reliable slave", interacting with manned platforms. These include two unknown devices made according to the "tailless" scheme and equipped with a single engine. According to the Global Times, they were designed for air superiority operations. One of the UAVs was equipped with an internal armament compartment, as well as an electron-optical surveillance system in the bow.
A helicopter-type UAV, identified as the AR-2000 of AVIC Corporation, was also presented at the parade. The markings on the device indicated that it was in service with the PLA Navy. Equipped with an EO surveillance station and a synthetic aperture radar under the bow, the UAV can be operated from aboard the Type-075 DVKD of the PLA Navy and the Type-055 class destroyer.
In general, the military parade indicates that China's military and political leadership is clearly monitoring the latest global trends in the field of weapons development and responding promptly to them. Despite the fact that a number of the samples presented are prototypes, experience shows that they can be adopted by the PLA in the foreseeable future.
