China's Military Parade: A Display of Power and New Technology

Sat Sep 13 2025 10:45:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

China showcases an impressive array of new military technologies, including advanced missiles and AI-driven drones, in a grand parade that signals its military ambitions and strategic deterrence against the US.

In a recently held military parade, China demonstrated its evolving military strength with a lineup of innovative weapons, such as the 'Guam Killer' missile, AI-powered drones, and advanced stealth jets. Hosted by Xi Jinping, the event served not only as a showcase of China’s technological advancements but also as a strategic message to the United States and its allies, highlighting China's position on the global stage and its growing military integration.

China has unveiled a range of new weapons, drones, and other military hardware in a massive parade that many see as a clear message to the United States and its allies.

The event saw Xi Jinping host more than 20 foreign heads of state, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, both of whom rely on China for economic support.

It was a display of Xi's growing power on the world stage and of China's military prowess, with highlights including the 'Guam killer' missile, the 'loyal wingman' drone, and even robotic wolves.

Here are five key takeaways from the parade:

1. China has a lot of weapons. How well can it deploy them?

The display highlighted China's ability to quickly produce a diverse range of weapons, moving beyond basic copies of Western technology to more innovative and effective military hardware.

Experts argue that while China can produce these weapons rapidly, the real question remains on how effectively they can be integrated within their military framework, which is largely untested in combat.

2. China is focusing on missiles to counter the US

The parade featured various missile systems designed to demonstrate China's capability to challenge U.S. military power, including the Dongfeng-61 and hypersonic missiles aimed at overwhelming U.S. naval and air defenses.

3. China is going all the way with AI and drones

Among the various technologies showcased were AI-powered drones and the AJX-002 submarine drone, reflecting a strategic shift towards integrating advanced technologies into military operations.

4. China may have the technology, but the US still has an edge

While China is rapidly advancing in military technology, experts suggest that the U.S. remains superior in battlefield agility and operational decision-making.

5. The parade was a weapons sales pitch – and a chance to show the US a united front

The event also served as a platform to market Chinese weapons to attending leaders, underlining China's aim to strengthen its global influence amidst increasingly complicated geopolitical tensions.