Beijing’s broad boulevards were filled with the thunder of marching boots and the roar of jet engines as China’s Victory Day Parade on September 3 and 4, 2025, offered the world a rare, unfiltered look at the country’s rapidly expanding military arsenal. Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the parade was more than a commemoration—it was a meticulously staged demonstration of technological prowess and strategic ambition, with hypersonic missile systems taking center stage.
According to CGTN and other Chinese state media, the parade’s highlight was a sweeping display of new and upgraded hypersonic missiles, including the YJ-17, YJ-19, YJ-20, YJ-21, JL-1, and possibly the mysterious CJ-1000. These weapons, many of them anti-ship missiles, represent a leap forward in speed, range, and maneuverability, making them a formidable challenge for existing missile defense systems. The event was live-streamed, with each group of weapons introduced in turn, underscoring the diversity and sophistication of China’s missile development program.
The YJ-19, for example, is a hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile equipped with a large booster and scramjet engine. Its design—featuring a conical main missile and a split air intake—suggests it can be launched from both warships and land platforms. The size of its booster indicates the missile is built to reach high speeds necessary for scramjet activation, a technology that allows sustained flight at hypersonic velocities. As TurDef reports, hypersonic cruise missiles like the YJ-19 fly at altitudes too high for atmospheric interceptors but too low for exo-atmospheric ones, making interception exceedingly difficult. This combination of speed, altitude, and maneuverability turns such missiles into highly coveted—and feared—conventional deterrents.
Another star of the parade, the YJ-17, appears to be a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) designed for anti-ship roles. Its aerodynamic layout, reminiscent of the DF-17 glide weapon, is optimized for lift and reduced drag at hypersonic speeds. The YJ-17’s large booster points to a surface-launched missile, possibly serving as the much-anticipated anti-ship version of the DF-17. While guidance details remain under wraps, the missile’s configuration suggests a blend of cruise and ballistic missile mechanics, offering both maneuverability and cost efficiency.
China’s YJ-20, meanwhile, is a two-stage anti-ship ballistic missile previously seen launched from the vertical launch system of a Type 055 destroyer. Its design is seen as a cost-effective alternative to the more complex YJ-19 or YJ-17. The CJ-1000, shrouded in secrecy, might be an upgraded hypersonic cruise missile with extended range, building on the legacy of the CJ-100.
Perhaps the most talked-about addition was the air-launched YJ-21, often described by military analysts as an “aircraft carrier killer.” According to Asia Times, this missile, which can be carried by the H-6N strategic bomber, boasts a range of about 1,860 miles and can reach speeds between Mach 4 and Mach 6. Capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear warheads, the YJ-21’s deployment from bombers allows it to strike deep within enemy territory, far beyond the reach of most air defense systems. Its rapid launch and return capability provide operational flexibility that is hard to match.
The parade also showcased the JL-1, an air-launched ballistic missile equipped with a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) for evading terminal-stage air defenses. Unveiled alongside other nuclear-armed missiles, the JL-1 exploits the mobility of aircraft to launch surprise attacks on distant targets. The YJ-21, inferred to be a hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile with an advanced radar seeker, is likely the second air-launched ballistic missile option, complementing the JL-1.
But it wasn’t just about hypersonic missiles. The parade marked the first time China’s nuclear triad—capable of delivering warheads from land, sea, and air—was displayed in such a concentrated fashion. According to Xinhua, this included the DF-61 mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the silo-based DF-5C (with a reported range of up to 20,000 kilometers), the air-launched JL-1, and the sea-launched JL-3. The Pentagon estimates China’s nuclear arsenal now exceeds 600 warheads, with projections suggesting it could surpass 1,000 by 2030.
Other notable hardware included new anti-ship missiles like the YJ-15 and the debut of the aircraft-carrier version of the J-35 stealth multirole fighter. For defense, China rolled out the HQ-16C and HQ-10A systems, designed to intercept incoming anti-ship missiles. Drones were also on display in force—seven types of aerial reconnaissance and attack drones, a small surface drone ship, and two submarine drones (including the debut of the larger AJX002), all described by Xinhua as “cutting-edge surprise weapons for naval combat.” These systems are engineered for covert deployment, autonomous detection, and swarm-networked attacks, signaling China’s intent to dominate the future battlespace both above and below the waves.
What does all this mean for the global balance of power? The United States, whose naval power is a cornerstone of its Asia-Pacific defense strategy, is watching closely. According to the Associated Press, the new anti-ship missiles—capable of hypersonic flight and long-range strikes—are seen as a direct challenge to U.S. aircraft carriers and the broader Pacific containment strategy. The DF-17, for instance, travels in a non-standard trajectory, skimming the upper atmosphere to evade missile defenses, and can be launched from road-mobile vehicles disguised as civilian trucks, making it hard to detect and intercept. Its range, estimated between 1,118 and 1,553 miles, puts key U.S. military installations within striking distance.
China’s rapid advances in hypersonic technology have not gone unnoticed. The Pentagon, in its latest report, acknowledged that China is at the forefront of the global race for hypersonic dominance, while the U.S. continues to grapple with development delays and test failures. As China’s arsenal grows more sophisticated, the pressure mounts on other nations to accelerate their own military innovation or risk being left behind in this new era of strategic competition.
For all the spectacle, some experts urge caution. As Mick Ryan, a retired Australian army major general, noted in a research note for the Lowy Institute, “newer does not always mean better.” Unlike Western military equipment, much of China’s new hardware has yet to be tested in actual combat. Still, the message from Beijing is unmistakable: China is no longer reliant on foreign technology and is determined to shape the future of warfare on its own terms.
As the Victory Day Parade’s echoes fade, the world is left to ponder the implications of China’s military modernization—a development that will undoubtedly reverberate far beyond the boulevards of Beijing.