September 03, 2025

Here’s the Military Hardware China Showed off at Xi's Parade

This article was originally published on Bloomberg.

China’s once-a-decade military parade marking the end of World War II showed off an array of new weapons — including, for the first time, large autonomous sea vehicles.

The messaging of the parade was largely outward-facing, with many of the systems labeled so their designations would be visible on camera. New, large-missile designs hinted at longer ranges and bigger payloads, while other systems promised a cheaper means of wiping out drone attacks.

China’s latest-generation submarine-launched ballistic missile, the JL-3, gives its nuclear undersea fleet the ability to hit distant targets — including the US — while launching from locations far from their home shores.

Autonomous weapons were showcased as well — including a dog-like robot riding on the back of a vehicle — demonstrating China’s progress in developing uncrewed systems in the air, on the ground and even underwater.

Read the full article on Bloomberg.

  • Podcast

    Defense

    What's a Revolution in Military Affairs Good For?

    For decades, militaries have chased the next revolution in warfare. But what actually makes a revolution in military affairs revolutionary? Is there one happening now? Does it...

    By Stacie Pettyjohn

    • October 29, 2026
  • Video

    Defense

    U.S., Israel Elections Loom Over Iran War

    On Bloomberg This Weekend, Bloomberg Economics Defense Lead Becca Wasser and Bloomberg News Middle East correspondent Dan Williams examine how elections in the U.S. and Israel...

    By Becca Wasser

    • October 25, 2026
  • Reports

    Defense

    Charting the New Nuclear Age

    Executive Summary With the continued growth of China’s nuclear arsenal, the United States will likely face two nuclear peer threats in the coming years. The United States cann...

    By Stacie Pettyjohn, Carlton Haelig & Natasha Lander Finch

    • October 22, 2026
  • Video

    Defense

    BBC World News | Saudi Arabia: Cruise Missiles and Drones Intercepted

    Becca Wasser, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security joins BBC World News to discuss Saudi Arabia struggling to defend itself.Watch the full interview...

    By Becca Wasser

    • October 14, 2026

View All Reports View All Articles & Multimedia