China's Victory Day Showcases Display of Power

China is set to host a grand Victory Day parade on September 3, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The event, which will take place in Beijing, promises to be a spectacle, showcasing the country's latest advancements in military technology.

More than 45 formations will move through Tiananmen Square, with around 100 pieces of domestically produced equipment on display. The parade, lasting approximately 70 minutes, will consist of two main parts: a military review and a march-past of the nation's top brass.

Stealth-Capable Jet Aircraft and Advanced Battle Networks

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will have an open day from September 19 to 23 in Changchun, Jilin Province. During this period, the public will have unprecedented access to sensitive technology, including the stealthy Chengdu J-20. This fifth-generation fighter jet, along with the J-16 and J-35 stealth-capable jet aircraft, is expected to appear at the parade. The integration of these aircraft with advanced sensors and battle networks will be closely scrutinized.

Carrier Operations and Undersea Drone Technology

The Xi'an KJ-600 Carrier Early Warning Plane will be showcased, signaling China's progress in conducting integrated carrier operations. Furthermore, China may showcase its latest undersea drone technology, further demonstrating the country's commitment to advanced naval capabilities.

Missile Systems and Directed-Energy Weapons

The event will showcase a variety of land, sea, and air-based systems. Hypersonic missiles, electronic warfare platforms, counter-drone gear, and directed-energy weapons are all expected to be on display. Among the missile systems, the YJ-series, particularly the YJ-15 and YJ-19, are expected to be showstoppers. The YJ-15 is a ramjet-powered anti-ship cruise missile, similar to the existing YJ-12, while the YJ-19 features advanced ramjet or scramjet propulsion, placing it in the high supersonic or hypersonic category.

Another missile, the YJ-20, bears external similarities to a ballistic missile, leading to speculation that China may unveil a new nuclear-capable hypersonic missile system during the parade.

Unmanned Systems and Ground Forces Digitization

Fighter jets will fly in tight formation, and a new unmanned sea drone is expected to make its debut. The ZTZ-201 Armored Systems, a tank featuring advanced sensors and battle management systems, could appear at the parade, reflecting a push to digitize ground forces.

International Participation

China will host 26 foreign leaders during the celebration, underscoring the global significance of the event. The official commissioning of China's third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, will also be a highlight, symbolizing the country's growing naval power.

The J-20 will be on static display for the first time in history during the open day, symbolizing China's growing "openness and confidence" in its war techs' maturity. The J-20's appearance, along with the showcase of advanced military technology, promises to make China's Victory Day parade a memorable event.