China is preparing to showcase a new series of anti-ship missiles at a military parade in Beijing, part of its effort to expand strike capabilities against foreign navies. Specialists say the missiles are designed to challenge ship defenses at long range.
Newsweek reports that the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency says this type of hypersonic missile launches from multiple platforms and uses aerodynamic maneuvers with ballistic loft phases to extend its range.
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Images from rehearsals show four new missiles in the “YJ” line: the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20. The YJ-17 has drawn the most attention, with analysts estimating it could travel at speeds near Mach 8 — about 6,100 mph — and reach targets some 750 miles away while carrying a substantial warhead.
Analysts believe the YJ-15 is supersonic, the YJ-19 could be hypersonic, and even suggest the YJ-20 could be a highly maneuverable aeroballistic missile.
Organizers also plan to display tanks, fighter jets and domestically produced drones.
Why does it matter?
The parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. Tens of thousands of soldiers will march through Tiananmen Square. Leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, plan to attend as guests of honor.
Analysts say the missile development highlights China’s focus on modernizing its forces to limit U.S. naval influence in the Western Pacific. Tianran Xu of Open Nuclear Network told Bloomberg the new designs were meant to raise the chances of defeating American ship defenses.
What is the broader context?
Beijing is heavily invested in hypersonic weapons, joining Washington and Moscow in a race to build systems that can evade traditional defenses.
China is the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter and has built a large long-range missile arsenal capable of targeting U.S. forces and bases across the Western Pacific.
Japan urged world leaders not to attend the parade, warning it carried anti-Japanese undertones. Even so, more than 20 leaders plan to attend.
