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One of the most enigmatic weapons in the arsenal of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the PL-17 very long-range air-to-air missile, appears to have been shown for the first time at close quarters.

China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

China’s latest live-fire drills around Taiwan appear to have prompted the movement of the island’s secretive Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) land-attack cruise missile. While the development of this important weapons is understood to date back at least to the early 2000s, it has only very rarely been seen since then, which makes its public appearance now all the more interesting.

Secretive Taiwanese Land Attack Cruise Missile Seen On The Move

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 31, 2025

New imagery of Chinese catapult-capable low-observable combat drones, or possibly mockups thereof, together with some unusual trucks, may point to plans to launch them from the ground, as well as ships.

Is This China’s Truck-Mounted Electromagnetic Catapult?

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 30, 2025

TAIWAN - DECEMBER 29: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - TAIWAN'S MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) A screen grab from a video shows fighter jet as Taiwanâs Ministry of National Defense said the islandâs armed forces conducted rapid response exercises on Monday in response to aircraft and naval activity by Chinaâs Peopleâs Liberation Army in Taiwan on December 29, 2025. In a statement posted on social media, the ministry said the armed forces closely monitored the situation and carried out joint sea and air operations involving all service branches.The ministry said Taiwanâs Coast Guard also remained on high alert as part of the response. No further details on the scale or duration of the activities were immediately provided. China launched joint military drills Monday around Taiwan in a stern warning against 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces and external interference, according to state-run media.The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched fighter jets, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in coordination with long-range rocket forces to conduct drills code-named 'Justice Mission 2025' in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the theater command.

China Launches Snap “Warning” Drills Around Taiwan Simulating A Total Blockade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 29, 2025

The Chinese military has published a video showing what it says is the launch of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from one of its Type 055 ‘super destroyers.’

YJ-20 High-Speed Anti-Ship Missile Seen In Action On China’s Type 055 Super Destroyer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 29, 2025

Type 076 seen carrying loyal wingman drone mockup or prototype.

Chinese Loyal Wingman Drone Design Appear Set For Deck Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 27, 2025

Chinese Fighter Jet Exports Set To Grow Significantly

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2025

The latest Chinese military aircraft to appear in flight test is a tactical transport aircraft, known, unofficially for now, as the Y-30. Not perhaps as headline-grabbing as China’s string of new crewed and uncrewed combat aircraft designs, the transport is nonetheless highly significant, reflecting the People’s Liberation Army’s growing ambitions to be able to conduct out-of-area operations.

China’s ‘Y-30’ Turboprop Airlifter Spotted For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 16, 2025

We have got what could be our first look at China’s CH-7 stealthy flying-wing drone in flight. While it’s far from the biggest Chinese drone of this configuration, it’s still of impressive size and, as we have noted in the past, appears to be tailored for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR), as well as strike missions as an uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).

China’s Stealthy CH-7 Flying Wing Drone Has Flown

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 15, 2025

China's heavyweight jet-powered Jiutian drone, said to have a maximum takeoff weight of around 17.6 tons (16 metric tons), has flown.

China’s High-Flying Swarm Mothership Drone Has Flown

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 11, 2025

J-36 shows its new thrust vector nozzles

China’s J-36 Tailless Stealth Jet’s New Thrust Vectoring Nozzles Seen From Behind

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Nov 24, 2025

Images show that a large tiltrotor drone called the R6000, being developed by United Aircraft in China, has now entered flight testing.

China’s Large R6000 Uncrewed Tiltrotor Is Now In Flight Testing

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 18, 2025

China's first super-sized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, has left port for its first sea trials.

China’s Type 076 Supersized Amphibious Assault Ship Heads To Sea On Its Maiden Voyage

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 14, 2025

China's growing weapons programs puts pressure on intelligence community.

Can U.S. Intel Keep Up With China’s Tsunami Of Weapons Developments?

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

China has now formally commissioned its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, into service.

China Commissions Newest Aircraft Carrier With Its Electromagnetic Catapults Front And Center

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

A key aspect of the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile defense initiative is ensuring America's ability to launch retaliatory nuclear strikes, the nominee to become the next head of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) has stressed.

Golden Dome Missile Shield Key To Ensuring Nuclear Second Strike Capability: U.S. Admiral

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 6, 2025