In the heart of Beijing, under a crisp September sky, the echoes of marching boots and the roar of jet engines painted a vivid portrait of ambition. China commemorated the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War with a spectacle that blended solemn remembrance with unapologetic muscle-flexing. This wasn’t just a parade; it was a symphony of steel and strategy, where history met high-tech in Tiananmen Square. As laser beams pierced the air and drones danced overhead, the world pondered: Has China vaulted to the pinnacle of stealth power, outpacing rivals in the shadows of modern warfare?
Unveiling the Arsenal:
The 70-minute extravaganza wasn’t shy about showcasing China’s leapfrog in military innovation, with over 100 advanced systems on display—many debuting publicly. This parade, attended by heavyweights like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, served as a dual-purpose stage: a nod to WWII sacrifices and a stark reminder of contemporary clout.
Key highlights included a barrage of hypersonic missiles, designed to evade defenses at blistering speeds. The YJ-21, dubbed a “carrier killer,” screamed past onlookers, capable of striking naval behemoths from afar. Flanking it were the DF-61 and DF-31BJ intercontinental ballistic missiles, alongside the JL-3 submarine-launched variant, bolstering China’s nuclear triad. These beasts underscore Beijing’s push for global reach, pinning down threats across oceans.
But the real buzz came from futuristic flair. Giant underwater drones, like the AJX-002 extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs), loomed large—torpedo-shaped titans up to 20 meters long, poised to redefine naval skirmishes where China claims world-leading prowess. Laser weapons made their splash too, with state media touting a massive mountable system for zapping drones and missiles mid-flight. Anti-drone setups, electronic jammers, and AI-driven command hubs rounded out the show, hinting at battles waged in code and circuits.
Aerial dominance stole the spotlight with stealth drones and “Loyal Wingman” autonomous flyers—unmanned sidekicks that shadow piloted jets, enhancing strike precision without risking lives. Over 100 aircraft, including upgraded stealth fighters, painted the skies, while ground forces paraded new tanks with unmanned turrets and augmented reality interfaces. This wasn’t mere pageantry; it was a blueprint for hybrid warfare, blending human grit with machine smarts.
From a global lens, this display echoed WWII’s lessons—China as the Eastern bulwark that pinned Japanese forces, thwarting broader conquests. Yet, it pivoted forward, signaling deterrence against modern aggressors while courting allies like Russia and Iran, who watched approvingly.
Stealth Supremacy:
Stealth technology—crafting assets that slip past radars like ghosts—has long been the U.S.’s ace. But 2025’s parade and recent breakthroughs suggest China’s haunting the leaderboard. The J-35A stealth fighter debuted earlier this year, making China the second nation (after America) to field two fifth-gen stealth jets simultaneously. Projections show Beijing churning out 120 J-20 stealth fighters in 2025 alone, dwarfing the U.S.’s planned 24 F-35s.
Victory Day amplified this with stealth drones galore, including combat-ready “loyal wingmen” that outpace even U.S. prototypes. A stealth carrier program unveiled in 2025 promises to reshape Indo-Pacific naval dynamics. Anti-stealth radars, like those detecting hidden foes at 200 km, flip the script, neutralizing rivals’ invisibility cloaks.
Is China the undisputed leader? Not quite—U.S. tech edges in integration and experience. But Beijing’s rapid, indigenous advances in hypersonics, quantum detection, and swarm drones position it as a peer, if not pioneer, in stealth’s evolving arena. Globally, this shifts power: Allies like Pakistan benefit from exports, while tensions simmer in the South China Sea, where stealth assets could tip flashpoints.
Rising Titans:
The world stage teems with ascendants, per the Global Firepower Index 2025, which crunches troops, tech, and logistics across 145 nations. The U.S. reigns supreme with unmatched projection, followed by Russia (bolstered by Ukraine-honed grit) and China (surging via modernization).
| Rank | Country | Power Index Score | Key Strengths | Growth Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 0.0744 | Global bases, nuclear arsenal, tech edge | Alliances, innovation |
| 2 | Russia | 0.0788 | Massive tanks, hypersonics | Wartime adaptations |
| 3 | China | 0.0788 | Hypersonics, drones, navy expansion | Domestic R&D, budget hikes |
| 4 | India | 0.1184 | Manpower, nuclear triad | Border tensions, acquisitions |
| 5 | South Korea | 0.1416 | Advanced tech, conscription | North Korean threats |
| 6 | United Kingdom | 0.1432 | Submarines, special forces | NATO commitments |
| 7 | Japan | 0.1601 | Stealth fighters, missile defenses | Regional pivots |
| 8 | Turkey | 0.1697 | Drones, regional influence | Exports, conflicts |
| 9 | Pakistan | 0.1711 | Nuclear weapons, fighters | Alliances with China |
| 10 | Italy | 0.1863 | Naval carriers, EU ties | Mediterranean ops |
Growing powers? China tops the list with a 6% annual defense spend spike, nuclear stockpile doubling to 600 warheads. India climbs via indigenous builds amid Himalayan frictions. South Korea and Japan accelerate amid North Korean and Chinese shadows. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia leads regionally at 13th globally. Victory Day contextualizes this: China’s showoff, with Putin and Kim in tow, cements an axis challenging Western hegemony, fueling arms races from Asia to Africa.
US and Allies
From Washington to Brussels, China’s parade sparked unease—a “flex” amid deepening ties with U.S. foes. A Pew survey reveals 73% of Americans see Beijing’s influence ballooning, viewing it as a top threat. The Pentagon’s 2024 report flags “breakneck” modernization, from nuclear silos to hypersonics, as eroding U.S. edges.
Trump-era voices like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warn of Western Hemisphere encroachments, while experts decry alliances with Russia as an “axis” against the West. Europe echoes this, with NATO eyeing Pacific pivots. Yet, some like Brookings analysts ponder coexistence, noting interconnected fates. Globally, the parade’s peace oath clashes with perceived aggression, stoking debates on UN order challenges.
China’s Military Momentum
It’s an uphill battle. China’s defense budget, potentially surpassing U.S. in PPP terms at $541 billion, fuels unchecked growth. Analysts doubt outright stops, citing Beijing’s self-reliance and human capital gaps in the PLA—but not enough to derail.
U.S. pushes alliances like AUKUS and QUAD, tech curbs on chips, and African counterbases to blunt expansions. Yet, skeptics argue the West’s anemic spending and dependencies let China lead in drones and hypersonics. Victory Day’s multi-angle message—deterrence to foes, allure to buyers—complicates containment, as exports to Pakistan and Turkey proliferate tech.
China’s stealth ascent, spotlighted by this historic parade, reshapes the global board. It’s not hegemony’s echo but a call for multipolarity, urging the West to innovate or adapt in an era where shadows hold sway. As martyrs’ spirits linger, the future hinges on dialogue amid the din of drones.
