Key facts
- China is developing a 155mm naval gun system, potentially the largest of its kind globally.
- An experimental warship, the Wu Yunduo, has been seen testing the new naval gun.
- China recently showcased a wide range of advanced weaponry, including new missiles and drones, in a major military parade.
- The parade featured missiles like the 'Guam Killer' and hypersonic variants, alongside robotic systems.
- The display highlighted China's rapid advancement in defense manufacturing and its focus on countering U.S. military capabilities.
China's navy is reportedly developing a new naval gun system that fires 155mm artillery shells, which would be the largest of its kind globally. This development comes as China has recently showcased a significant expansion of its military capabilities, including advanced missiles and drones.
The experimental warship Wu Yunduo has been observed undergoing sea-based performance testing of the new gun system, indicating it is nearing deployment by the People's Liberation Army Navy. Images of the vessel equipped with the large gun surfaced in February from the Liaonan Shipyard in Dalian.
This focus on heavy artillery appears to be a strategic shift, occurring alongside a broader display of China's military might. A recent large-scale military parade featured numerous new weapons, including the 'Guam Killer' missile, 'loyal wingman' drones, and robotic wolves. Experts note that China's defense-industrial complex has rapidly evolved, moving from producing basic copies of foreign designs to innovating diverse and advanced weaponry, including missiles and drones.
Analysts suggest China's emphasis on missiles, such as the Dongfeng-61 and Dongfeng-5C, is a deliberate strategy to counter the naval superiority of the United States. The parade also marked the first public display of all three components of China's nuclear triad: land-based missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and air-delivered nuclear weapons. The country's ability to produce weapons and munitions in large quantities is seen as a significant battlefield advantage.