State-run media referred to weapons as China's strategic 'ace' power
China on Wednesday for the first time showcased its land, sea, and air-based nuclear forces during the massive military parade marking China's victory against Japanese aggression, the end of World War II.
The parade featured the country’s full nuclear triad, including JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, DongFeng-61 land-based intercontinental missile, and a new type of DongFeng-31 land-based intercontinental missile, according to Xinhua News.
State media referred to the weapons as China’s strategic “ace” power, underscoring their role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security, and dignity.
The nuclear triad’s unveiling marks a significant step in demonstrating China’s ability to launch retaliatory strikes from land, sea, and air, a deterrence capability.
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China’s nuclear arsenal has grown faster than that of any other country, reaching an estimated 600 warheads by early 2025.
According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2025, the country's nuclear stockpile has been expanding by approximately 100 warheads per year since 2023.
China also showcased a new-type unmanned underwater vehicle, an unmanned ship, and an unmanned mine-laying system for the first time in the maritime unmanned combat formations at the military parade.
According to Global Times, these unmanned systems have abilities such as covert deployment for blockade operations, autonomous detection and identification, and swarm networking for coordinated attacks, making them a force to be reckoned with in naval warfare.
Various aerial drones that can operate autonomously, such as reconnaissance-and-strike drones, wingman drones, and unmanned ship-based helicopters, were also presented at the parade, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Multiple types of land-based unmanned vehicles were also unveiled at the parade, fit for missions such as reconnaissance and assault, mine sweeping and bomb disposal, and team support.
China also unveiled its various equipment such as ship-based air defense systems, anti-unmanned aerial vehicles systems, and electronic countermeasure systems, cyber-warfare equipment, as well as hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and various artillery systems.
Various military aircraft flew over Tiananmen Square, such as fighter jets, including the fifth-generation J-20S jet, carrier-based fighter jets, early-warning aircraft and strategic bombers, and various armored vehicles such as Type-100 tanks passed the square.
