How China's new missile and drone arsenal raises global alarm

China on Wednesday unveiled a wide range of new, advanced weapon systems across its military branches that is set to raise security concerns in its neighbours as well as Western capitals.

At a mega military parade attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and many other world leaders, China showcased many prominent military technologies, including hypersonic missiles, stealth aircraft, nuclear-capable anti-continental missiles, anti-ship missiles, a wide variety of air and underwater drones, as well as electronic and cyber warfare equipment.

However, China has not officially revealed the reach and capability of these weapon systems. Most of them are not battle-tested, and very little is confirmed about their true capabilities.

INTERCONTINENTAL, NUCLEAR MISSILES

Most prominent among them are long-range nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles DongFeng-61 (DF-61) and DF-5C, with the latter being an upgraded version.

Chinese state media have dubbed the DF-5C as a “global-covering strategic nuclear missile” capable of hitting any target up to 20,000 km away. It can carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV), equipped with nuclear or conventional warheads. Global Times quoted a missile technology expert to claim that DF-5C’s flight speed can reach tens of Mach.

DF-61 is part of what China calls “nuclear triad”. While it can be fired from land, the JL-3 intercontinental ballistic missile can be fired from submarines, and the JL-1 is an aircraft-fired long-range missile.

ANTI-SHIP MISSILES

Four anti-ship missiles showcased at the parade are among the weapons that would be closely tracked by militaries and experts. Except for the YJ-15, the remaining three missiles, the YJ-19, YJ-17, and YJ-20, are of hypersonic speed capacity, as per Chinese state media.

They can be carried by multiple platforms such as shipborne aircraft, surface vessels and submarines, Global Times claimed. These weapons vary in size and can achieve flexible manoeuvring and trajectory change.

DRONES AND ANTI-DRONE SYSTEMS

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) displayed several types of air and underwater drones. Among the notable debuting drones are armed reconnaissance, wingman, air superiority, and shipborne helicopters.

These drones can carry out stealth assault attacks, cover a wide range, and collaborate autonomously. Without specific details, Chinese media said that reconnaissance drones can also carry out attacks.

By their design and purpose, wingman drones can operate in close formation with manned warplanes, enabling efficient coordination in air superiority, air defence and suppression, as well as escort tasks.

Among the sea-based drones are AJX002, HSU100 and a ship-like drone that is expected to work as a platform for underwater drones. AJX002 and HSU100 drones look like torpedoes, with an engine featuring on one end to propel the vehicle.

Among the three directed-energy-based anti-drone systems displayed at Wednesday’s parade, two emit laser beams while the third fires focused bursts of electromagnetic energy in the microwave frequency range to disrupt, disable, or destroy drones.

Missiles with hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), that can carry warheads at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound with irregular flight trajectories, were a highlight at the parade.

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