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Chinese military parade at the SCO meeting 2025: Assessment of Chinese military capabilities.
The parade showcased China’s advanced, indigenously produced weaponry and its vision for a new global order.Following a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin in early September 2025, China held a large-scale military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War IIAdvanced weaponry displayedHypersonic Missiles: A new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the DF-61, was prominently featured, demonstrating improved range and strike capability. Analysts noted the presence of hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), which have irregular flight trajectories that make them difficult for missile defense systems to track and intercept.
Nuclear Triad: For the first time, China displayed its full nuclear triad of land-, sea-, and air-launched nuclear weapons. This included the new DF-61 ICBM, the JL-3 submarine-launched missile, and the JL-1 air-launched missile.
Drone Technology: The parade featured a wide array of drone technology for air, sea, and land operations.Airborne: This included the GJ-11 stealth attack drone, which is capable of flying alongside manned jets as a “loyal wingman”.
Submersible: Extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUVs), such as the AJX002, were displayed. These are designed for surveillance and reconnaissance.
Ground-based: “Robotic wolves,” armed with machine guns or specialized for mine-clearing and logistics, were also part of the formations.
Directed-Energy Weapons: China showed its progress in directed-energy weaponry, including the truck-mounted LY-1 laser air defense weapon, which is designed to disable or destroy aerial targets.
Assessment of China’s military capabilitiesTechnological Sophistication: The parade provided a rare, high-profile look at the results of China’s long-running modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It revealed a significant leap in indigenous military technology, reducing reliance on foreign solutions.
Strengthened Deterrence: Experts view the parade as a powerful statement aimed at both the U.S. and its allies in the region. The showcase of advanced weaponry, particularly the nuclear triad, reinforces China’s second-strike capability and strategic deterrence.
Regional Influence: The introduction of advanced anti-ship missiles and naval drones indicates China’s determination to dominate its surrounding seas and complicate intervention plans by external navies.
Strategic Alliances: The presence of leaders from Russia, North Korea, and other nations—and the notable absence of most Western nations—underscored Beijing’s ambition to lead a new, non-Western, multipolar world order.
Focus on AI and Fusion: Beyond the hardware, analysts noted the PLA’s deepening integration of advanced technologies like AI and quantum computing. This is accelerated by the military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy, which leverages civilian innovation for military applications.
Remaining Challenges: Despite the impressive display, assessments note that China still faces challenges in organizational and operational capacity compared to top-tier militaries. However, observers warn against complacency, citing the rapid pace of Chinese military development.