China Unveils Advanced Naval Drones and Missiles in Military Parade

On September 3, 2025, China held a military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific. The event featured a display of advanced naval weaponry, including new missile systems and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Among the showcased missile systems were the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20 anti-ship missiles. These missiles are designed to be launched from ships or aircraft and are intended to inflict significant damage on large vessels. Notably, the YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20 models are believed to be hypersonic, capable of traveling at speeds at least five times the speed of sound.

The parade also introduced two new extra-large torpedo-shaped unmanned underwater vehicles: the AJX002 and the HSU100. The AJX002 is presumed to be a reconnaissance design, while the HSU100 is believed to serve as an uncrewed minelaying capability. These developments underscore China's focus on enhancing its naval capabilities through advanced unmanned systems.

Additionally, China unveiled the LY-1, a shipborne laser-based directed energy weapon. This system is designed to intercept aerial threats such as drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, representing a significant advancement in China's air defense technology.

The parade highlighted China's ongoing efforts to modernize its military forces, particularly in the realm of naval warfare, through the development and deployment of advanced missile systems and unmanned technologies.