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Land-, sea-, and air-based missiles unveiled as China's nuclear triad for the first time

Global Times

Strategic 'ace' power

By Liu Xuanzun, Fan Wei and Liang Rui Published: Sep 03, 2025 11:25 PM

Editor's note:

China on Wednesday held a grand V-Day military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, with many advanced weapons and equipment making their debut, including China's new-generation tank with a whole new design concept, several types of hypersonic anti-ship missiles, air superiority drones, as well as the country's nuclear triad, which includes air-launched, submarine-launched and land-based strategic missiles.

The debut of many of these weapons and equipment came as surprises that went beyond the expectations of military enthusiasts.

Experts said that the military parade, unveiling new and advanced military tools, demonstrated the capabilities of the Chinese defense industry and the Chinese armed forces. At a time to remember history and cherish peace, these vital military assets and the Chinese troops that wield them will also defend the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests, and safeguard peace and stability in the world.

JL-1 air-launched long-range missile provides 'additional option' for nuclear strikes

The first nuclear missile formation consisting of JL-1 air-launched long-range missile, JL-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, as well as DF-61 and DF-31BJ land-based intercontinental missiles were reviewed at China's V-Day parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, marking the first concentrated appearance of China's land, sea, and air-based strategic nuclear triad.

The first concentrated display of the Chinese military's land, sea, and air-based integrated strategic nuclear triad is a strategic "ace" power for safeguarding national sovereignty and defending national dignity. Among them, air-based strategic nuclear forces are showcased in parade for the first time, military affairs expert Shao Yongling told the Global Times, adding that the commissioning of the air-launched strategic missile provides China with an additional option for nuclear strikes.

"The official debut of air-launched strategic missile means that China has become one of the few countries in the world with a nuclear triad," said military expert Zhang Junshe.

World's first two-seat stealth fighter jet J-20S to control unmmaned wingman drones: expert

Fighter jet echelons consisting of the J-16D, J-20, J-35A, J-20S and J-20A were reviewed at the parade.

Military affairs experts told the Global Times that the J-20S is the world's first two-seat fifth-generation fighter jet, and the additional seat is not a simple add up of a pilot, but will bring much higher combat performance, and the aircraft's emergence will have pioneering significance. In future air combat, with the addition of unmanned loyal wingman aircraft, the second pilot on the J-20S may be responsible for sending instructions to the loyal wingmen and controlling them to carry out combat missions; therefore, the two pilots performing the mission together is not a simple add up of a pilot, said military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng.

"If it does have the ability to command loyal wingmen, I believe it can even be regarded as the world's first 5.5th generation fighter jet, putting China in a leading position in the field of manned-unmanned cooperative operations in the air," said Fu Qianshao, another military affairs expert.

Fu also noted that the J-20A is an upgraded version of the original J-20. "Although the J-20 has made multiple appearances at military parades and air shows, every time it makes an appearance, it has new upgrades and improvements," he said.

Multiple wingman, air superiority drones expected to 'change future air combat mode'

Unmanned aerial vehicles reviewed at the parade include new armed reconnaissance drones, wingman drones, air superiority drones, and shipborne unmanned helicopters. These aircraft are all debuting for the first time. They are capable of stealth attacks, with wide coverage and autonomous collaboration, bringing innovative new patterns for future air combat.

Wingman drones, also known as "loyal wingmen," represent a key concept in recent years within the drone sector and are widely regarded as a vital component of future unmanned combat systems. Serving as both sensors and ammunition depots, these drones also function as intelligent assistants to human pilots.

They overturn the existing air combat scenarios and profoundly change future air combat mode, said military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng.

KJ-600 early warning aircraft completes Chinese carrier group's 'final puzzle piece' to bolster offensive, defensive capabilities

KJ-600 and J-15T carrier-based aircraft were reviewed in a flight formation at the V-Day military parade, marking the long-awaited debut of the KJ-600, China's carrier-borne fixed-wing early warning aircraft.

The commissioning of the KJ-600 marks the completion of the "final piece of the puzzle" for China's aircraft carrier group operations, significantly enhancing the offensive and defensive combat capabilities of China's carrier groups, according to military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng.

"The KJ-600 can be described as a force multiplier for carrier-based aircraft in an aviation formation," Zhang said, noting that the KJ-600 enhances the defensive as well as offensive combat capabilities.

He pointed out that a key function of aircraft carriers is carrying out strike missions against land and sea targets, which requires carrier groups to be forward deployed into target areas, most of which lie beyond the detection and support range of land-based radars. "Fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft can be deployed to undertake detection and support missions, conduct airborne command operations, and effectively enhance the strike capabilities of carrier groups against land and sea targets," the expert said.

CJ-1000 cruise missile enriches PLA's precision strike toolbox: expert

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force for the first time formed a joint formation displaying the country's cruise missiles at the military parade. The CJ-20A, YJ-18C and CJ-1000 - three types of cruise missile reviewed this time are long-range surgical strike weapons that can deter wars and win combats in multiple domains.

Military affairs expert Shao Yongling said the CJ-1000 has been upgraded on the basis of CJ-100, which debuted at the military parade in 2019, and it further enriched the spectrum of cruise missiles in China. It is expected that this type of missile will have a faster flight speed, better maneuverability during flight, and stronger defense penetrating ability, making the PLA's precision strike toolbox more abundant, and various strike methods can be selected based on the characteristics and values of different targets. Due to its faster flight speed and better maneuverability, the CJ-1000 can effectively reduce the success rate of interception by existing missile defense systems.

DF-5C intercontinental strategic nuclear missile has 'entire globe under range'

The newly debuted DF-5C liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missile stands on guard at all times to effectively deter potential enemies, preventing wars through force and helping stabilize the world. Missile technology and nuclear disarmament expert Yang Chengjun said the missile is transported in three sections by three transport vehicles. It is expected that the preparation time will be shorter than the previous DF-5 series missiles, with a faster response speed. As a strategic missile that can cover the entire globe, its flight speed is estimated to reach tens of Mach, leaving contemporary ballistic missile interception systems with minimal time to prepare. Its global-covering range means that China has the capability and means to launch counterattacks on any military targets in the world that pose actual nuclear threats to China, Yang noted.

"This shows China's means to deal with external threats are constantly developing and enriching," said the expert.

JL-3 submarine-launched missile sees upgrade to intercontinental range

The newly debuted JL-3 further extends the strike range of China's submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Designated as a new-generation submarine-launched long-range ballistic missile, it features rapid response capabilities, high stealth performance, and a broad strike range. The new JL-3 is also designated as an intercontinental ballistic missile, meaning that China's submarine-launched ballistic missile, which bears the responsibility of supporting the country's sea-based nuclear deterrence, has officially entered the intercontinental era.

"From long-range to intercontinental, this means that the range of JL-3 can reach over 8,000 kilometers, and it also means that even if launched in China's coastal areas, it can still cover all countries in the world that may pose a nuclear threat to China," said military affairs expert Zhang Junshe.

It also means that China's strategic nuclear submarines need not venture beyond the so-called second island chain or the depths of the Pacific Ocean to carry out nuclear counterstrikes, Zhang added. "From our coastal regions, we can maintain sea-based strategic nuclear strike capabilities. In our nearshore areas, we can deploy more robust support and protective forces," he said.