September 21, 2025, 4:03 pm
The modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army has been dramatic, rapid, and occasionally secretive.
Earlier this month, we got a bit of a window into the equipment side of that transformation process, with Beijing opting to show of dozens of weapon systems (many for the first time publicly) as part of their commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Japan’s 1945 defeat.
From the start of the 21st Century the PRC has transitioned from being overwhelmingly reliant on derivatives of Soviet and Russian platforms to a country capable of pushing forward with its own designs supported by the world’s largest manufacturing base.
Today, I look at a selection of those designs and ask what they can tell us about where the PLA is in its modernisation journey, and where it might be going in the future.
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/PerunAU
Reading and Sourcing (in progress):
Federation of American Scientists – Nuclear weapons at China’s 2025 Parade
PRC nuclear weapon estimates 2021 and 2025
Reporting on China warhead build up
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/18/pentagon-report-china-nuclear-weapons-00195031
GAO & Minuteman III extension
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/09/10/us-air-force-may-keep-minuteman-iii-nukes-operating-until-2050-report/
Janes – China sets sights on modernisation targets
https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-and-national-security-analysis/china-sets-sights-on-modernisation-targets
J-15D (2024)
https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/airshow-china-2024-china-unveils-operationalised-j-15d-electronic-warfare-aircraft
Global Times reporting on the Parade:
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1342504.shtml
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1342492.shtml
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1342519.shtml
TWZ – J-35 set for naval service
https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-j-35-naval-stealth-fighter-looks-set-for-service
Reporting on Chinese HELs being used in Russia
https://www.twz.com/news-features/chinese-laser-weapon-is-claimed-to-be-in-russian-service
Included reporting on NATO HPM & HEL systems
https://www.twz.com/heres-our-first-look-at-a-helios-laser-armed-navy-destroyer
https://www.twz.com/news-features/british-high-power-microwave-weapon-successfully-tested-against-drone-swarms
https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2024/army/2024de_m-shorad.pdf?ver=aP_keA3PAt1C_pkWp_rAdQ%3D%3D
CSIS- ChinaPower tracker
Ian Easton – China’s Deceptively Weak (and Dangerous) military (2014)
https://thediplomat.com/2014/01/chinas-deceptively-weak-and-dangerous-military/
SCMP on DF-5C
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3325301/how-chinas-df-5c-nuclear-icbm-can-reach-anywhere-any-time
Reporting on GL-6 test (Feb 2025)
https://www.twz.com/land/chinese-tanks-active-protection-system-seen-intercepting-drone-fired-rocket-propelled-grenade
Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I note that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete examination of the topic and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other any other views and/or decisions.
Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.
Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:00:43 — What Am I Talking About?
00:01:19 — Background & Caveats
00:07:15 — Towards a Triad
00:18:37 — Next-gen Armour
00:29:05 — CUAS
00:37:22 — Carrier Aviation
00:45:49 — the Defence Economics Lens
00:52:30 — Channel Update
Content Creator – Perun
