China’s recent “Victory Day” parade in Beijing has sent a clear message to the world: its military capabilities are advancing at an unprecedented pace, and its ambitions are expanding. The display of fighter jets, hypersonic missiles, AI-powered drones, and other cutting-edge weaponry underscores a strategic shift in global defence dynamics, one that demands a robust response from the United States and its allies.
The parade, attended by high-profile adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was more than a celebration of military might—it was a calculated show of force. “This is not just about the U.S. military and a U.S.-led world order,” said Heather Williams, Director of the Project on Nuclear Issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). “There is an alternative order that [they] are forming, and China is leading.”
As China accelerates its military modernization, the U.S. must respond with equal urgency. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation, emphasized the need for stronger deterrence against China, particularly in the context of Taiwan. “As hard as it’s been for Russia to conquer Ukraine, it’s going to be just as hard for China to conquer Taiwan,” he said. “But I think we can do more work and have better communications to create a stronger deterrence message.”
The parade showcased China’s growing cyber capabilities, with its cyber command reportedly ten times larger than that of the U.S. This disparity highlights a critical gap that the U.S. must address to maintain its strategic advantage. “China is, right now, our biggest cyber threat,” Bacon said. “We’ve got to grow our capabilities in [U.S.] Cyber Command.”
Beyond cyber, China’s parade revealed a diverse array of advanced weaponry, including the LY-1 laser, the Dongfeng-5 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile, and the DF-61 ICBM. The display also included AI-powered drones, robotic wolves, and the AJX002 unmanned underwater vehicle—a narrow, tube-shaped drone resembling a submarine. These innovations signal China’s intent to dominate across multiple domains, from land and air to sea and cyberspace.
However, questions remain about the operational readiness of these systems. Tom Karako, Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, noted that the parade’s carefully choreographed nature raised doubts about the actual deployment status of the showcased technologies. “This is a question mark—how much of this is really real? How much of this is not just fielded, but has a high-readiness level?”
Despite these uncertainties, the parade’s broader implications are undeniable. It underscores China’s determination to project power and deter U.S. interventions, while also signaling its regional ambitions. Kari Bingen, Director of the Aerospace Security Project at CSIS, highlighted the parade’s emphasis on anti-ship, hypersonic missiles, and other deterrence capabilities. “This is [China saying] ‘We can reach you. We can reach you in Guam, we can reach you undersea, we can reach you from air to surface and hold you at bay.’”
For the U.S. and its allies, the message is clear: the time to act is now. The parade serves as a wake-up call, urging the U.S. to invest more heavily in its defence capabilities and strengthen its deterrence strategies. As Bacon noted, “Our spending right now is inadequate for deterrence.”
The parade also underscores the importance of international partnerships. The U.S. must work closely with allies to counter China’s rising influence and ensure a collective security framework that can withstand emerging threats. The parade’s display of unity among U.S. adversaries highlights the need for a coordinated response from democratic nations.
In the face of China’s accelerating military advancements, the U.S. must prioritize innovation, investment, and collaboration. The parade’s message is a call to action—a reminder that the global defence landscape is evolving, and the U.S. must adapt to maintain its strategic edge. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.