Hypersonic Missiles, Laser And More: China’s New Weapons Roll Through Beijing Streets As PLA Prepares For Massive Parade

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) rolled out a wide range of new weapons systems in Beijing over the weekend during rehearsals for a military parade scheduled on September 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Images and footage shared online showed several missile types, including the YJ-15 anti-ship missile and three hypersonic missiles: the YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20.

The YJ-17 appeared similar to a hypersonic glide vehicle, the YJ-19 featured an air inlet suggesting a hypersonic cruise missile, and the YJ-20 displayed an aerodynamic body shape associated with manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles.

A new road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system was also seen. It was carried on a transporter-erector-launcher vehicle with a previously unseen single-side cab design, transporting a large missile canister under cover.

Unmanned underwater systems were transported through the capital as well. One of them, labelled AJX002, measured about 20 metres in length and was torpedo-shaped. Another, even larger, underwater vehicle was moved under wraps.

A large, camouflaged eight-wheeled vehicle was noted for its covered turret outline, which resembled that of existing laser air defence systems. Its size suggested it could accommodate a high-energy laser.

Among the land systems, a light tank smaller than the Type 99A was observed. It carried a 105mm gun on an unmanned turret and was fitted with a four-sided radar, active protection systems, a laser weapon and an air defence gun. Crew members were seen using helmets with augmented- and virtual-reality displays.

Additional armoured vehicles included infantry fighting vehicles and fire-support platforms, also featuring active protection systems.

The rehearsal, which took place from Saturday evening into early Sunday near Tiananmen Square, involved around 40,000 personnel and much of the equipment expected to be displayed at the official parade.