Published 19:09 IST, September 30th 2019
China to unveil advanced weaponry at 70th National Day Military Parade
The military parade celebrating the 70th National Day of the People's Republic of China will give a rare look at country's new advanced weaponry on October 1
The military parade celebrating the 70th National Day of the People's Republic of China will give a rare look at country's new advanced weaponry on October 1. There's also a possibility of including the nuclear-capable missile that could supposedly reach the United States in just 30 minutes. China's secretive military will unveil its developing arsenal in the parade with weapons technology similar to Washington and other powers of the world. In the city with nearly 20 million people, the President, Xi Jinping will watch the entire parade while sitting at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
The New Weapons
The Dongfeng 41 is apparently one of the series of new weapons which might be unveiled during the parade. Other weapons also include a supersonic drone and a robot submarine. The DF 41 is evidently a three-stage, solid-fuel missile with a range nearly of about 7,500 miles. The enhanced arsenal will also mark the power of the ruling Communist Party and its 70th anniversary. According to the Ministry of Defense spokesman, Major General Cai Zhijun, the parade will also include nearly 15,000 troops, 160 aircraft, and 580 pieces of the military. He also indicated that many weapons will be shown “for the first time” and the people along with global powers should “please wait and see”.
The Chinese leaders also hope to control the shipping lanes and waters that are presently claimed by Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines along with other governments. According to an international news agency, the Dongfeng 41 series will have an intercontinental ballistic missile, DF-17 hypersonic ballistic missile, DR-8 unmanned aerial vehicle and the Sharp Sword stealth attack drone. It might also include the J-20 stealth fighter jets, H-6N which is a new bomber, and the Type 15 tanks. Moreover, “Dongfeng” means “east wind”
World's Biggest Army
The People's Liberation Army is the world's biggest army with nearly 2 million men and women in the force. The army also has the second-highest annual spending, first being the United States. The country's force is currently working on developing fighter planes, and Beijing just recently also launched the first of its kind amphibious fighter ship with aircraft carriers, all built entirely in China. According to an official of International Peace Research Institute, there are a lot of countries who will play the spectator to the military parade and they might think that China is getting closer to what they are currently doing to advance their weaponry. China's spending on the army has risen by 5 percent making it $250 billion which is also the 10 times its level in 1994. However, the American army is of 1.3 million uniformed people, is spending more than 2 times the level of China.
(With AP inputs)
Updated 22:57 IST, September 30th 2019