Beijing is gearing up for a massive military parade on September 3 to mark 80 years since the end of World War II — and to show off a new generation of Chinese weapons, many of which will be revealed publicly for the first time.
According to Chinese officials, hundreds of People’s Liberation Army aircraft — from fighter jets to bombers — will join ground and naval forces in a tightly choreographed show of strength in the capital. State media say the parade will highlight “real combat” formations across land, sea and air, with cutting-edge equipment at the center.
That includes advanced tanks, carrier-based aircraft and new fighter jets, all domestically built and currently active in the PLA. Analysts also expect to see systems designed to counter drones, upgraded early-warning aircraft for China’s carriers, and possibly demonstrations of its growing missile arsenal — especially antiship and hypersonic weapons.
The event will run for about 70 minutes as 45 troop formations march past President Xi Jinping in Tiananmen Square. Foreign leaders and dignitaries, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, are expected to attend, echoing the last anniversary parade held in 2015.
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