Beijing is preparing for a high-profile military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, and all eyes are on the possible unveiling of upgraded hypersonic weapons. State broadcaster CCTV has hinted that improved versions of both the YJ-21 and DF-17 missiles could appear, showcasing China’s growing focus on penetration capabilities and next-generation strike power.
Among the most anticipated highlights is an air-launched variant of the YJ-21, known to observers as the KD-21. Originally developed as a sea-based missile, this version is thought to be carried by the H-6N strategic bomber and may have a range of up to 3,000km (1,860 miles), with the capacity to carry either nuclear or conventional warheads. Estimated to fly between Mach 4 and Mach 6, the KD-21 has earned the nickname “aircraft carrier killer” because of its anti-ship designation.
Military commentator Wei Dongxu, speaking on CCTV, explained its advantage: “It could be launched from bombers outside enemy air defence zones, penetrate interceptors and destroy targets before quickly returning to base.” He added that hypersonic missiles will evolve into “a family of land-, sea-, and air-launched variants,” highlighting their versatility across combat scenarios.
Photographs taken in Beijing last month suggested that as many as four new YJ-series missiles could be unveiled during the parade, underlining the importance China places on showcasing hypersonic strike options.
Another potential debut is a new variant of the DF-17 hypersonic missile, which was first revealed in the 2019 parade but has rarely been seen since. Wei suggested its glide body could be enlarged and equipped with decoy warheads to confuse missile defence systems. “These would confuse enemy early-warning and missile-defence systems, making it harder to distinguish the real target. This would greatly enhance penetration,” he noted.
The DF-17 is already a challenge to intercept because of its unique trajectory. Boosted to the edge of space, it follows a non-standard glide path that can “skip” or bounce like a stone, flying at altitudes between 20 and 100km—below the reach of most midcourse defence systems. With an estimated range of 1,800 to 2,500km, it places US bases in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines squarely within reach, a capability that directly challenges America’s “island chain” strategy designed to limit China’s access to the Pacific.
CCTV recently broadcast the first footage of a DF-17 launch from a road-mobile transporter on a highway, calling it an “unanchored launch.” Unlike many mobile missile systems that require lengthy site preparations, this flexibility allows DF-17 units to move quickly across China’s road network and launch within minutes, potentially disguised as civilian vehicles.
Hypersonic weapons, defined by speeds above Mach 5, are increasingly seen as critical tools in modern warfare because of their range, manoeuvrability, and ability to defeat conventional missile defences. Wei summed up their advantage: “The greatest advantages of hypersonic missiles are that they fly far, break through defences effectively and deliver accurate, powerful strikes.”
China’s hypersonic development has already drawn international attention. A Pentagon report last year concluded that Beijing now possesses “the world’s leading hypersonic missile arsenal.” By contrast, the United States has struggled to catch up, with its AGM-183A suffering repeated test failures and the joint Army-Navy glide body programme delayed until at least this autumn. A BBC report in August noted that Washington is “playing catch-up” with both China and Russia in the field.