3 h. ago While the PLA was on parade in Beijing, its navy patrolled the South China Sea

China’s navy conducted a “routine patrol” in the contested waters of the South China Sea as “deterrence” on the same day the PLA mounted a massive military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. The patrol on Wednesday took place in the wake of Exercise Alon, the biggest-ever joint drill between Australia and the Philippines, which ran from August 15 to 29. A Canadian frigate also took part in the exercise, while several countries, including the United...

Politics

12 h. ago AI, lasers and chips: the science and tech of China’s military parade

China’s military parade on Wednesday – featuring the latest AI-powered uncrewed vehicles, laser weapons and missiles – signalled an arms race fuelled by scientific and technological advances. Artificial intelligence, optics and physics and information technologies have underscored how innovations will shape the future of modern warfare, paving the way for futuristic intelligent systems. “The parade featured unmanned intelligent systems, underwater combat units, cyber and electronic forces and...

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19 h. ago China unveils laser weapons, huge underwater drones, and advanced missiles in major military parade

China unveils laser weapons, huge underwater drones, and advanced missiles in major military parade  Business Insider

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28 h. ago Nuclear missiles and ‘loyal wingmen’: 8 surprises from China’s military parade

China’s military parade on Wednesday celebrating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II showcased various new weapons systems, including some surprises from key areas like nuclear missiles and advanced drones. Below are the surprises and takeaways from China’s display of its newest weapons systems, ranging from its new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) playing a role as loyal wingmen for a next generation of fighter jets. New nuclear...

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35 h. ago Advanced missiles, stealth drones: China puts new PLA weapons in spotlight at parade

Advanced missiles, stealth drones: China puts new PLA weapons in spotlight at parade  South China Morning Post

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53 h. ago Honour guards in China’s military parade to carry PLA’s latest QBZ

Beijing’s massive military parade on Wednesday will feature China’s next-generation QBZ-191 rifles, described by state broadcaster CCTV as the “Transformers of the rifle world”. The guards of honour in the parade will carry the new rifle, which made its first public appearance at the 70th National Day parade in 2019, and marked China’s departure from the bullpup-configured QBZ-95 that had been standard since 1997. The QBZ-191, part of the Type 20 weapons family with variants for different combat...

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3 d. ago How will China’s advanced drones and robobeasts share stage with PLA personnel?

Some 16 years after China first showcased drones in a military parade, there is keen interest in how the People’s Liberation Army has developed its unmanned systems, and how they will be displayed during Beijing’s military parade on Wednesday. Analysts say the breadth and variety of drone systems expected at China’s coming military parade could underscore the PLA’s rapid advances in integrating autonomous technologies across air, land and sea, signalling a shift towards AI-enabled, multi-domain...

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3 d. ago As China’s military closes gap on US, economic security becomes the new frontier

As next-generation tanks and fighter jets roll past the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, many in China will be swept up in a sense of national pride. The Chinese leadership has set a target for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to emulate the American military – often described as the greatest fighting force in history – by 2049. The futuristic hardware on show by the PLA will prompt optimism at home that China is on track to meet that...

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4 d. ago Multipolar arms race takes ballistic missile threat to new levels

War is just one press of a button away, and the likelihood of that happening – even if accidental – is not insignificant. The advancement of ballistic missile capabilities has opened up new battle spaces. Just as during the Cold War, today’s adversaries can hold each other’s populations hostage under the threat of nuclear war. As we mark 80 years since the second world war ended, it is becoming easier to fathom our world at war again. However, while it may be true the “long peace” was more an...

Events

7 d. ago What does a mock US rocket launcher in mainland China say about a Taiwan conflict?

Mock-ups of Himars rocket launchers – which Taiwan has ordered from the US – have been spotted in a car park in mainland China, suggesting a PLA simulation of a cross-strait conflict. A video circulating on mainland Chinese social media this week showed three trucks resembling the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars). The replica trucks appeared to be lighter than genuine Himars units and, according to the video, lacked rocket launchers. The footage showed the vehicles...

Events

8 d. ago 2027 PLA goal: Victory Day parade puts progress and challenges on show

China is on a mission to turn its military into a modern fighting force. In the final article in this four-part series, we look at President Xi Jinping’s military goals and obstacles facing the People’s Liberation Army. The 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II is intended to display both the strength and solidarity of the People’s Liberation Army. But just two weeks before it is set to take place, Beijing announced that former navy chief of staff Li Hanjun – a veteran...

Politics

8 d. ago As the world watches PLA approach 100, is it truly ‘capable of winning wars’?

China is on a mission to turn its military into a modern fighting force. In the final article in this four-part series, we look at President Xi Jinping’s military goals and obstacles facing the People’s Liberation Army. The 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II is intended to display both the strength and solidarity of the People’s Liberation Army. But just two weeks before it is set to take place, Beijing announced that former navy chief of staff Li Hanjun – a veteran...

Events

1 week ago As China unveils newest military hardware, a closer look at PLA’s build

The People’s Liberation Army is arguably the world’s most rapidly evolving military, yet it remains the least understood by outsiders. The PLA has not engaged in a war in more than four decades and has left no footprint in actual combat in that time, but the intensity of its exercises and expansion of its arsenal have attracted global attention. As China prepares for a major military parade next month to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, the PLA is expected to showcase...

Events

2 w. ago Hypersonic Missiles, Laser And More: China’s New Weapons Roll Through Beijing Streets As PLA Prepares For Massive Parade

Hypersonic Missiles, Laser And More: China’s New Weapons Roll Through Beijing Streets As PLA Prepares For Massive Parade  Swarajyamag

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2 w. ago India and Pakistan enter a new missile race after deadly border clash

India and Pakistan have embarked on a new arms race, investing billions in advanced missile systems that observers warn could define the next era of South Asian warfare. The moves follow their deadly four-day conflict in May, which saw some of the most intense border hostilities between the nuclear-armed rivals in years. Earlier this month, India announced it would procure an additional 110 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles as part of a new 670 billion rupee (US$8.7 billion) defence...

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2 w. ago New missiles, drones and tanks: what’s been rolling through Beijing’s streets?

New hypersonic anti-ship missiles and a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile system were among a line-up of advanced Chinese weaponry seen on the streets of Beijing over the weekend. Photos and videos circulating online reveal some of the People’s Liberation Army’s latest hardware that was spotted by residents during a second rehearsal for next month’s military parade. The images and footage show unmanned underwater vehicles, a gigantic laser weapon, a fleet of drones and unmanned...

Events

2 w. ago What new weapons were on show in Beijing military parade rehearsals?

New hypersonic anti-ship missiles and a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile system were among a line-up of advanced Chinese weaponry seen on the streets of Beijing over the weekend. Photos and videos circulating online reveal some of the People’s Liberation Army’s latest hardware that was spotted by residents during a second rehearsal for next month’s military parade. The images and footage show unmanned underwater vehicles, a gigantic laser weapon, a fleet of drones and unmanned...

Events

2 w. ago New hypersonic missiles and drones: what’s been rolling through Beijing?

New hypersonic anti-ship missiles and a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile system were among a line-up of advanced Chinese weaponry seen on the streets of Beijing over the weekend. Photos and videos circulating online reveal some of the People’s Liberation Army’s latest hardware that was spotted by residents during a second rehearsal for next month’s military parade. The images and footage show unmanned underwater vehicles, a gigantic laser weapon, a fleet of drones and unmanned...

Events

2 w. ago On WWII anniversary, China’s PLA says Japan never abandoned military power dream

China’s military mouthpiece has accused Japan of hollowing out its pacifist constitution and “embarking on the dangerous path of military expansion”. As Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its surrender in World War II on Friday, the PLA Daily warned in a commentary that “the spectre of militarism has never left the Japanese archipelago”, and that right-wing forces had “never abandoned the dream of becoming a military power”. It accused Tokyo of using American support to steadily roll back...

Events

3 w. ago PLA jet accused of ‘dangerous’ moves near South China Sea’s Scarborough Shoal

A Chinese fighter jet allegedly flew close to a Philippine coastguard aircraft near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday morning, while US and PLA naval vessels operated close by amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine state-run broadcaster People’s Television Network (PTV), a Cessna Caravan operated by the coastguard was performing a “maritime domain awareness flight” when the alleged incident occurred, involving what appeared to be an Su-30. On-board...

Politics