China’s September 3rd military parade amply focused on naval domain and showcased People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) growing combat capabilities. From hypersonic anti-ship missiles to state of the art ship-borne air-defense systems and unmanned naval vessels, the parade choreographed rapid technological advancements of China’s naval might.
The military parade included a dedicated segment with new naval air defence systems. This segment highlighted the latest advancements in naval air defense capabilities, showcasing ship-borne surface to air missiles (SAMs) of long, medium, and short ranges, collectively designed to provide layered protection for PLAN task forces against a wide spectrum of aerial threats. Complementing these missile systems was the unveiling of the ship-borne laser-based directed energy weapon, a cutting-edge technology intended to counter drones, precision-guided munitions, and other low-cost aerial threats.
Leading the column of naval air-defense was HHQ-9C mounted on truck. The newer version of long range HHQ-9C SAM is an interesting development as unlike its previous HHQ-9A/B versions, it is slimmer in physical profile. The airframe of forward section incorporates altitude control thrusters in place of flight control surfaces. This indicates the missile has been designed for high-altitude endo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles. It is speculated that HHQ-9C can be multi-packed in vertical launch system (VLS) and uses kinetic impact for interception. HHQ-16C, the improved medium range SAM which is carried in H/AKJ-16 VLS of PLAN Type-54A/B frigates and some older modified destroyers, was shown after HHQ-9C. Compared to older HHQ-16A/B variants, HHQ-16C provides more than 70km interception range bridging the gap between long-range HHQ-9 missiles and short range air-defenses. The incorporation of this missile will grant longer range air defense capability to frigate size vessels of PLAN. For shorter range engagement, HHQ-10 air-defense system comprising of 24-cell SAM launcher was presented. Analogous to U.S. RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) in terms of design and concept, HHQ-10 provides short range defensive capability against missiles and drones.
Perhaps the most intriguing naval defense system revealed was a truck-mounted LY-01 laser based directed energy defensive system. Although shown on land, the same system has been tested aboard PLAN ships and is meant for integration with warships. Likely a solid state laser, it is reportedly scalable between 60 and 100 kW. Once operationalized, such weapons would represent a cost-effective counter to drones, small boats, and incoming munitions, and can serve as close-in weapon system (CIWS). Unlike expensive missiles, laser weapons are cheaper to operate in longer-run, providing limitless magazine capacity and can engage threat at the speed of light.
HHQ-9C, HHQ-16B, HHQ-10, and LY-01 at China’s 80th Victory Day Parade
The parade unveiled several next generation anti-ship missiles including upgraded variants of existing missiles as well as new missiles altogether. Firstly YJ-15, a ramjet-powered supersonic anti-ship missile was showcased. Sharing design familiarities with already operational YJ-12 anti-ship missile, YJ-15 appears to be more compact and thus can be carried in larger number, onboard lower-tonnage warships, and even by fighter aircrafts. Its exact range and payload size is unknown. But for its speed and versatility, this missile falls in similar category as Russia’s P-800 Oniks and India’s BrahMos cruise missiles. YJ-18C was also a new revelation. Unlike compact YJ-15, it is bigger in size, and therefore has much longer range. The missile incorporates stealth air-frame, a frontal aperture suggesting terminal guidance for executing supersonic dash just like YJ-18B. The missile share design similarities with U.S. AGM-129 ALCM – which is no longer operational.
Following super-sonic missiles, series of naval hypersonic missiles were presented. YJ-19 is allegedly a submarine launch hypersonic cruise missile (SLHCM). With more than 600 kms range, the missile utilizes scramjet propulsion to achieve cruising speed in excess of Mach 6. As follow on, YJ-17 was rolled out. It is ship-launched hypersonic glide vehicle (SLHGV). The missile is compact enough to be carried and launched by vertical launch system (VLS) of Type-55 Heavy Destroyers, and Type-52D/DL Destroyers. With range exceeding 1000 kms, this HGV can bypass enemies’ defenses and hit target with precision at over Mach 8 speed. In parallel, YJ-20 hypersonic aero-ballistic missile was also showcased which is also designed to be carried in VLS of PLAN destroyers. This missile can undertake anti-ship as well as land-attack role and can strike target from over 1000 kms with terminal speed of more than Mach 10. The final stage of missile appears capable of conducting hypersonic maneuvers in terminal phase to dodge missile interceptors. These developments are important as PLAN is on its way to become the first navy in world with such diverse arsenal of long range hypersonic missiles.
YJ-15, YJ-18C, YJ-19, YJ-17, and YJ-20 at China’s 80th Victory Day Parade
Beside hypersonic missiles for surface warfare, next generation underwater weapon systems were also demonstrated during the parade. Two types of 324mm light-weight torpedo (LWT) were shown: AMB012 and AJC015. AMB012 (Yu-12) falls in similar class as already operational Yu-07 LWT and can be carried by surface combatants as well as aircrafts. The AJC015 is rocket-assisted LWT and can be launched from deck mounted canisters of warships for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). AQA010 (Yu-10) was the only heavy weight torpedo (HWT) which took part in parading column. This 533mm torpedo will be primary ASW weapon for PLAN conventional as well as nuclear submarines and is expected to complement or replace existing Yu-06 HWT. Perhaps the most mysterious design was AQS003A which share similar dimensions as HWT and thus can be launched through submarines. However, unlike HWT, it’s a tube-launched smart sea mine and share design similarity with American Mk-60 CAPTOR mine. The incorporation of this mine suggests that PLAN has already stepped in intelligent mine warfare. These hypersonic missiles and next generation torpedo systems will significantly enhance the anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) prowess of PLAN.
AMB012 LWT, AQA010 HWT, and AQS003A smart-mine at China’s 80th Victory Day Parade
In the column of unmanned systems, several unmanned naval systems made their public debut. In total, China unveiled three entirely new unmanned platforms: 20m long unmanned submarine called HSU100; optionally manned surface vessel (OMSV); and unmanned mine-lying submarine termed as AJX002. The HSU100 UUV is first of its kind and unlike Russia’s Poseidon nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed torpedo, it is more versatile and can be employed for variety of underwater operations. It doesn’t contain sail, but is equipped with an enclosed hatch on top which opens up to raise different types of masts. It also hosts sonar arrays at its flank and a prominent aperture at the bow suggesting that it can fire torpedo. After HSU100 UUV, a pair of OMSV equipped with a medium caliber auto-cannon and integrated electro-optical fire control systems was shown. These boats are powered by water-jet propulsion and carry enough space at its stern for installing variety of mission modules. Such OMSVs can be operated in shallow littoral waters for patrolling, reconnaissance, mine-hunting, and even ASW roles. In the end, four AJX002 mine-lying unmanned submarines were showcased. These drone submarines can operate in hostile waters for covertly deploying or recovering mines without exposing the manned platform.
HSU-100 UUV, unknown OMSV, and AJX-002 UUV at China’s 80th Victory Day Parade
By observing the development pattern of niche naval capabilities demonstrated in parade, three key takeaways can be taken. First, China is building a multi-layered naval defense system, combining long-range SAMs, close-in defenses, and directed energy weapons for countering wide-range of aerial threats. Second, it is diversifying, and expanding its strike reach by developing variety of hypersonic missiles, ensuring that U.S. carriers and allied navies face risks from multiple vectors—air, sea, and undersea. Third, the unveiling of various types of unmanned naval platforms showcases Beijing’s objective to standardize low-risk force multipliers in PLAN for distributed and persistent area denial capabilities.
In terms of numbers, PLAN is already the largest navy in the world. As far as net-tonnage is concerned, it stands second only to United States Navy (USN). PLAN is now rapidly commissioning large displacement vessels of far superior capabilities. The weapon systems showcased in parade provides a glimpse of the combat potential which PLAN contemporary and future vessels will wield. The PLAN is positioning itself as not just a regional challenger but a maritime peer competitor to the U.S. It is very likely that the era of uncontested U.S. naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific is drawing to a close, and China’s open display of advance naval capabilities is the clearest evidence in this regard.
