With Putin and Kim in Attendance… China Unveils the American Ship Killer

2nd September 2025

2 minutes read

With Putin and Kim in Attendance… China Unveils the American Ship Killer

On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, China is set to showcase its military might during a grand parade attended by several heads of state.

Next Wednesday, Beijing will host a military parade with the participation of numerous world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in commemoration of this historic milestone.

During the event, China will display a wide range of drones and missiles. Satellite images have already revealed dozens of weapons lined up in an area outside the capital, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph. The centerpiece of attention is the “YJ-17” missile, dubbed the “American ship killer.”

Although details about the missile remain shrouded in secrecy, military experts believe the YJ-17 possesses exceptional capabilities that place it among the most dangerous naval weapons in the world.

Missile specifications
Experts suggest the YJ-17 could reach speeds of Mach 8 (around 6,100 mph), with an estimated range of 750 miles, giving it the ability to strike distant targets without exposing its launch platforms to direct risk.

The missile can carry warheads weighing between 600 and 1,100 pounds, granting it a high penetration capacity capable of severely damaging heavily armored warships, including American aircraft carriers. According to analysts, this represents a veiled warning to the West to steer clear of regional conflicts.

Having emerged as one of the world’s leading developers of hypersonic weapons, China is betting on solidifying its status as a military power on par with Washington and Moscow.

In addition to the YJ-17, other missiles are expected to be unveiled, including the air-launched YJ-15, the hypersonic YJ-19 and YJ-20, along with tanks, fighter jets, and advanced drone systems.

At a press conference in Beijing, Wu Zeik, a Chinese official involved in organizing the parade, stated: “The weapons and equipment showcased this time were selected from the main combat gear produced domestically and currently in service. A significant proportion will be on display for the first time.”

According to Tianran Xu, an expert at the Nuclear Open Network, the development of such weapons aims to “enhance the chances of defeating U.S. shipborne air defense systems and suppress the American fleet in the western Pacific.”

The parade coincides with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which brings together more than twenty leaders, including those from Russia, Iran, Turkey, and India.