China shows off weapons at huge parade

From nuclear-armed missiles to air-defence lasers, hypersonic weapons and sea drones, China sends a broad message of deterrence with its largest-ever military parade in Beijing

ICBM MISSILES
New variants displayed include Dongfeng-61, capable of releasing multiple warheads; Dongfeng-5C, designed to be launched from northern China to target U.S.; and “Guam Killer” Dongfeng-26D intermediate range missile, which could hit U.S. bases in Guam

HYPERSONIC MISSILES
New Yingji-15 missile displayed along with pre-existing YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20. YJ missiles, which can be launched from ships or aircraft to inflict critical damage on large vessels, are key part of China’s strategy to counter U.S. naval superiority

DRONES
Include AJX002 giant, 18m, underwater nuclear-capable drone; GJ-11 stealth attack drone, dubbed “loyal wingman”, which helps protect crewed fighter jets; and “robotic wolves” that may be used to hunt down enemy soldiers

LASER WEAPONS
LY-1 laser weapon, seen mounted on top of eight-wheeler HZ-155 armoured truck. Also under active development by U.S., so-called “directed-energy weapons” can disable or burn out electronics with high precision and low cost-per-shot

DF-61
YJ-15
AJX002
Robotic wolf
LY-1

Sources: BBC, AFP, Reuters
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images
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