From tanks to carrier killers: 10 weapons unveiled at China's military parade
Fuelled by booming defence spending, the People’s Liberation Army is expected to today showcase breakthroughs in missile technology and military aircraft that reflect its increasing focus on projecting force beyond its borders, especially adjacent seas where it competes with neighbours for territory and resources.
Here are 10 military hardware pieces that analysts and other nation’s defence experts will likely be watching out for.
SECOND ARTILLERY CORPS
1) DF-26 missile
The intermediate-range ballistic missile is dubbed the “Guam killer”, with its 4,000km range putting it within striking distance of the US naval base at Guam
2) DF-21D missile
The anti-ship ballistic missile is known as a carrier-killer with a maximum range of 1,450km
3) DF-5B missile
The liquid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic can carry three or more nuclear warheads with a range of up to 15,000km
AIR FORCE
4) WZ-19 armed helicopter
Used mainly to attack tanks and other heavy targets. It has a take-off weight of 4,500kg, and a maximum cruising speed of 245km/h. It can fly three-hours without refuelling
5) Y-9 transport aircraft
It’s a medium-sized, medium-range turboprop multipurpose workhorse. The design platform for the air force’s early warning aircraft KJ-200 and KJ-500
6) H-6K strategic bomber
The aircraft gives China long-range stand-off capabilities. It is capable of attacking US carrier battle groups and priority targets in Asia. It also has nuclear strike capability
ARMY
7) ZTL-09 tank
The fire support vehicle houses a new domestically made 105mm gun, with an effective range of more than 2km against armoured targets
8) ZTZ-99A tank
A main battle tank with a 125mm smoothbore gun and carousel-style autoloader. The vehicle can carry 42 rounds, with an additional 22 stored in the separate autoloader. The rate of fire is eight rounds per minute, and two rounds per minute if manually loaded
9) ZBD-04 tank
Infantry fighting vehicle designed to provide protected transport for an infantry squad on the battlefield
NAVY
10) HQ-10/FL-3000N missile
A short-range air-defence missile, capable of expanding the navy’s force projection capability. The weapon is mounted on the navy’s most advanced Type 052D destroyers and Type 056 frigates
Additional reporting by Associated Press