Xi reviews armed forces on National Day for first time

Dongfeng-5B nuclear missile formation reviewed

A formation of Dongfeng-5B nuclear missiles was reviewed during the military parade.

The main body of the formation is made up of a missile brigade from the PLA Rocket Force.

Over decades of development, the brigade established in the early 1960s has successfully launched dozens of strategic missiles.

Special-purpose aircraft exhibited

A support aircraft echelon, comprised of six types of special-purpose aircraft, flew over Tian'anmen Square in the military parade.

It is the first time for special-purpose aircraft to join a National Day military parade, according to Chen Gang, captain of the echelon's lead airplane.

The displayed aircraft include Y-9 communication countermeasure aircraft, Y-8 long-distance support jamming aircraft, Y-8 electronic surveillance aircraft and Y-9 medical aircraft.

New long-range strategic bombers unveiled

China unveiled for the first time its new type of long-range strategic bombers in the National Day military parade.

The debuting H-6N is a home-made strategic bomber capable of air refueling and long-range strike. Also showcased in the parade was H-6K, a domestically-developed medium and long-range bomber.

An echelon of three H-6N and six H-6K bombers flew over Tian'anmen Square.

The bombers are under the command of a division of the aviation forces of the People's Liberation Army's air force that has carried out many major missions, including air-dropping atomic and hydrogen bombs.

In recent years, China's special-purpose aircraft have completed a number of major missions, including patrols in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

Maritime patrol aircraft echelon reviewed

A maritime patrol aircraft echelon was reviewed Tuesday in China's National Day military parade, marking the collective public debut of the new type of informationized combat forces of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

The echelon consists of the KJ-500H and KJ-200H early warning aircraft, the Y-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft and the Y-8 technical reconnaissance aircraft.

Aviation forces display strategic transport capacity

An echelon of military transport aircraft flew over the Tian'anmen Square.

The echelon was comprised of three Y-20 large-size transport aircraft and three Y-9 medium-size transport planes, showcasing the country's growing strategic projection capacity.

Since Y-20 transport planes were commissioned, China's aviation forces have conducted a series of training in real combat conditions, including nighttime flight, cross-region projection, airdropping and low-altitude mobile operations, largely improving their strategic projection capacity.