China to Unveil Microwave Guns at Parade

China is preparing to unveil three new high-power microwave weapon systems during its upcoming military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025.

The huge truck-mounted platforms, designed to counter drones with directed energy, were observed during recent parade rehearsals and are expected to draw international attention when they roll across Tiananmen Square.

According to open-source imagery, the systems are mounted on Shacman SX2400/2500 series 8×8 trucks and feature massive planar antenna arrays paired with radar units. These weapons represent the latest step in China’s development of directed energy capabilities for use on the battlefield, specifically to neutralize the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles.

At least three vehicles of the new generation were seen, suggesting that Beijing intends to highlight the program as a marker of progress in its defense industry. The microwave systems will be presented alongside other advanced platforms in the annual parade, which serves both as a display of national strength and a demonstration of new military technologies.

Directed energy weapons are intended to disrupt or destroy electronics in hostile drones by projecting concentrated bursts of microwave energy. Unlike conventional air defense systems, they promise the ability to engage multiple targets quickly and at relatively low cost per shot.

China’s introduction of truck-mounted microwave systems reflects a global race to field effective counter-drone solutions. The United States has been pursuing similar capabilities. Raytheon developed the CHIMERA high-power microwave system, a large platform capable of neutralizing swarms of drones.

In addition, U.S. startup Epirus has fielded its Leonidas high-power microwave weapon, mounted on an 8×8 armored personnel carrier, which has already been demonstrated in action.

The parade will be closely watched not only for the systems’ appearance but for the message it sends. By presenting multiple vehicles at once, China is signaling both production capability and confidence in the technology.