China unveiled a sobering array of new strategic and anti-shipping missiles at the Victory Day Military Parade on September 3, 2025.
The display highlighted the completion of a highly potent deterrence triad comprising improved ICBMs, SLBMs, and air-launched nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
Central to the presentation were hypersonic weapons—both cruise missiles and hypersonic gliders.
These included the Yingji (Eagle Strike) family—YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20—capable of reaching speeds that overwhelm conventional defenses. The YJ-21, branded as a “carrier killer,” underscored China’s intent to threaten high-value naval assets.
Ballistic Missiles
The new strategic missiles unveiled included:
DF-61 ICBM
DF-31BJ ICBM
DF-26D IRBM
DF-17 MRBM
DF-5C ICBM
JL-3 SLBM
JL-1 air-launched long-range ballistic missile
Hypersonic Anti-Shipping Missiles
Dongfeng-17 Hypersonic Ballistic Missile
YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, YJ-20, YJ-21 hypersonic missiles.
DF-61
The Dongfeng-61 (DF-61), a mobile ICBM, made its public debut at the parade.
With a range of 12,000 to 15,000 km, it provides global reach and is believed capable of carrying up to 10 MIRVs.
Like the silo-based DF-5C, the DF-61 is a liquid-fueled missile, offering high payload capacity at the cost of longer preparation. The missile was displayed mounted on 16-wheeled transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), emphasizing road mobility and survivability.
DF-31BJ
The DF-31BJ, a silo-based variant of the road-mobile DF-31 ICBM, was another standout strategic weapon displayed. The new missile has a global reach with a range estimated at 11,000–13,000 km and is likely capable of carrying MIRVs, since the DF-31, which has a range of about 8,000 km, can carry 3–4 MIRVs. Both variants are solid-fueled.
The DF-31BJ is believed to have greater accuracy (~150 m) compared with the DF-31 (~300 m).
DF-26D
The DF-26D, another strategically significant missile unveiled during the parade, represents a major upgrade to the already formidable DF-26 family, often referred to as the “Guam Killer.”
The DF-26D can carry either a conventional or a nuclear warhead, with a modular design that facilitates rapid swapping between the two.
It is believed to feature an active radar seeker for terminal guidance and electronic countermeasures to defeat missile defenses, a step up from the DF-26, which relied on inertial guidance and satellite navigation.
While the DF-26 could strike both static land targets and moving sea targets, the DF-26D is optimized for precision strikes on naval assets, including aircraft carriers, using maneuverable reentry vehicles and improved targeting systems. In effect, the DF-26D is the “carrier killer” variant of the “Guam Killer.”
The missile is likely capable of using real-time targeting data from satellites, drones, and maritime surveillance assets.
DF-17
First unveiled in 2019, the Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) is a solid-fueled, road-mobile medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile equipped with the DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle.
It was prominently displayed alongside the DF-5C ICBM, the YJ-21, and the DF-26D, emphasizing its missile-defense penetration capability through high speed and maneuverability.
The DF-17 reaches speeds exceeding Mach 5, has a range of 1,800–2,500 km, maneuverable trajectories, and dual-use (conventional or nuclear) capabilities for targeting military bases and fleets in the Indo-Pacific.
DF-5C Hypersonic Ballistic Missile
The Dongfeng-5C (DF-5C) represents an incremental upgrade over the original DF-5 (introduced in 1981), the DF-5A (mid-1990s, with extended range and accuracy), and the DF-5B (2015, with MIRV capability).
While retaining its liquid-propellant design and silo deployment, the DF-5C emphasizes enhanced survivability, payload capacity, and responsiveness.
The missile can carry a heavier payload, accommodating up to 10–12 MIRVs. It has a global range extending to 20,000 km.
The DF-5C is more survivable thanks to its modular design, which allows it to be transported in three sections by separate vehicles. Design optimizations also reduce pre-launch fueling and setup time.
JL-3
The Julang-3 (JL-3), China’s latest submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (SLBM), made its public debut. Developed for integration with Type 094A/096 submarines, it features a range exceeding 12,000 km and MIRV capability, enhancing the credibility of China’s second-strike deterrent.
JL-1
The Jinglei-1 (JL-1), China’s first nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), also made its public debut.
Developed for carriage by H-6N bombers, the missile effectively completes China’s nuclear triad. It features a maneuvering reentry warhead with precision strike capability.
The H-6N launch platform’s air-to-air refueling capability gives China’s air-based nuclear deterrent extended reach, flexibility, and survivability for striking fixed land-based assets.
YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, YJ-20, YJ-21 Hypersonic Missiles
In a strong message to the United States—which relies heavily on its Navy, particularly aircraft carriers, to project power—China displayed a formidable lineup of hypersonic anti-shipping missiles.
Though differing in propulsion and design, they share a common threat: hypersonic speed that poses a lethal challenge to carrier defenses.
YJ-15: A compact, supersonic missile with an axisymmetric four-inlet layout, similar to the older YJ-12. Likely launched from aircraft or smaller vessels.
YJ-17: Features a flat warhead and a boost-glide waverider configuration, enabling hypersonic speeds and evasive maneuvers.
YJ-19: Employs a waverider design with an underbody air inlet, suggesting scramjet propulsion. Capable of all-weather operations and precision strikes against naval targets at speeds above Mach 5.
YJ-20: A large boost-glide missile with a bi-conic re-entry shape, likely launched from major surface ships, designed for long-range, high-speed strikes.
YJ-21: An air- or ship-launched hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile, making its public debut. With speeds up to Mach 10 and a range exceeding 1,500 km, it features advanced maneuverability to evade defenses. It has reportedly been tested against U.S. aircraft carrier mockups, earning its reputation as a potent “carrier killer.”
China’s latest parade may well be a landmark event that fortifies its status as a world superpower. It showcased the maturity of its nuclear deterrence triad and underscored the nation’s readiness to challenge U.S. naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
It is noteworthy that, despite catching up with the U.S.—and arguably even overtaking it—in strategic capability, China has not significantly increased the number of missiles and warheads it has deployed.
Who Should Worry?
The parade clearly highlighted weapons designed to counter the US military edge, that could evade American defenses and target naval assets in the Pacific.
ICBMs like the DF-5C extend China’s nuclear reach to the US mainland, enhancing its second-strike capability and complicating US strategic planning. Analysts view the event as a message of deterrence aimed at the US and its allies, signaling China’s intent to dominate East Asia.
President Donald Trump described the parade as “very impressive” but accused China, Russia, and North Korea of conspiring against America, issuing a warning and suggesting it was meant for him to see.
Meanwhile, India should be moderately worried, as the threats appear to be directed at the US. The unveiled systems emphasize naval and air power projection, which could indirectly affect India amid ongoing border disputes.
Hypersonic missiles and drones might enable faster, more precise strikes in contested areas, bolstering China’s advantage in high-altitude warfare.
PM Narendra Modi notably skipped the parade despite an invitation, signaling caution and highlighting strains in bilateral ties—even as India balances relations with China via forums like the SCO and BRICS.
That said, most weapons aren’t India-specific, but military experts in New Delhi would be watching very closely, as these weapons can be turned against India in a possible conflict.
Japan has the most immediate grounds for worry, given historical sensitivities and direct territorial frictions. The parade explicitly commemorated China’s WWII victory over Japan.
Weapons like anti-ship missiles threaten Japanese interests in the East China Sea, including the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, where China has increased incursions.
Tokyo is “watching China’s moves with interest,” and prior to the event, Japan urged other countries to boycott, prompting a formal complaint from Beijing. This reflects Japan’s view of the parade as provocative propaganda.
- By: ET Desk
- Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
