China's Aerial Military Display Leaves the West Alarmed: Airshow, Potent Technology, Space Weaponry, and Wings of Steel
Headline: China Showcases Advanced Weapons and Modern Military Technology at September 2022 Beijing Parade
On September 3, 2022, China hosted a grand military parade in Beijing, showcasing an unprecedented number of breakthrough and modern weapons to the world. The event was attended by China, Russia, North Korea, Belarus, Iran, and over 24 other heads of state and government representatives.
The parade served as a political indicator of relations with Beijing, with ambassadors of certain countries demonstratively leaving for vacations. Japan, a key ally, urged its allies not to attend the event, making a rare politically foolish statement, claiming that the parade had an "anti-Japanese undertone and creates a pro-Chinese interpretation of history."
The parade was primarily addressed to China's geopolitical opponents, with the United States at the forefront. The American leadership closely monitored the parade in Beijing using a flock of reconnaissance satellites.
One of the significant elements of the parade was the unveiling of the previously unknown unmanned underwater vehicle AJX-002, nicknamed the "Chinese Poseidon" or "Hello America." Unofficial reports suggest that this giant nuclear torpedo, capable of causing massive destruction, has an unofficial nuclear warhead power of 100 megatons.
The Chinese main battle tank ZTZ-201, also known as the "Chinese Armata," was another highlight of the parade. Classified as a fourth-generation armored vehicle by the Chinese, who have adopted the best features from global tank development while avoiding current trends, the ZTZ-201 weighs just over 40 tons, making it more agile than heavier tanks produced by the Americans, Germans, and British. The ZTZ-201 is equipped with a 105-mm cannon, but its armor-piercing capability has been improved, and its ammunition capacity has been increased.
The tank's crew is separated from the ammunition in a "capsule" and is equipped with a powerful active protection system. Another notable feature of the ZTZ-201 is its 13 optical sensors integrated into its body and turret, providing comprehensive battlefield awareness.
The J-35 multi-purpose fighter, a potential carrier of precision systems, including special ammunition, was also showcased during the parade. The Chinese military parade also featured the supersonic cruise missile DF-100, posing a serious threat to U.S. and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
Three high-power microwave (HPM) weapons were publicly displayed for the first time at the parade, capable of disabling the electronics of drones by emitting powerful microwave pulses. The Chinese air defense system FK-3000, similar in appearance to the self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and missile system "Pantsir-S1/SM," was also publicly displayed for the first time at the parade. The FK-3000 system is more focused on protecting targets from drones at close range and is expected to have more impressive characteristics than its Russian counterpart.
The Chengdu J-36 fighter, classified as a 6th-generation aircraft and a "prototype," was displayed at the parade and is being prepared for flights in an unmanned version. The parade also featured the display of DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles, capable of striking targets anywhere in the world, including U.S. territory.
Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the parade, and leaders of 26 countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, sat on the tribunes for the most honored guests. The military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2022, was a clear demonstration of China's military might and its commitment to asserting its position on the global stage.
