UPDATE: China has just unveiled its latest hypersonic cruise missile, the CJ-1000, during a dramatic military parade in Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025. This superfast weapon is touted for its “powerful penetration” strike capabilities, intensifying the global arms race for hypersonic technology.
The unveiling comes as military tensions escalate, with major powers such as the United States and Russia also racing to develop hypersonic weapons. Capable of flying at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound, these missiles present significant challenges for interception. The CJ-1000’s introduction showcases China’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In a formation that included a trio of cruise missiles—the CJ-20A, YJ-18C, and CJ-1000—China’s military displayed its advanced arsenal to the world. According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, the CJ-1000 is designed for long-range precision strikes, featuring capabilities for immediate launch and powerful penetration, making it a formidable asset against heavily defended targets.
Military expert Shao Yongling highlighted the CJ-1000 as an upgraded iteration of the CJ-100, which debuted in 2019. “Due to its faster flight speed and better maneuverability, the CJ-1000 can effectively reduce the success rate of interception by existing missile defense systems,” he stated in an interview with the Global Times.
The CJ-1000 could be critical for targeting time-sensitive operations, such as mobile command units and rocket launchers. Its predecessor, the CJ-100, reportedly reaches speeds of up to four times the speed of sound and has a striking range of between 1,864 to 2,485 miles, allowing it to target vital U.S. military installations like Guam from mainland China. The range of the CJ-1000 remains unspecified, raising questions about its potential reach.
For context, the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, which can be launched from various platforms, has a range of about 1,000 miles but operates at subsonic speeds. The U.S. is currently preparing to deploy its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) by the end of this month, following its first test launch in July.
The Pentagon’s reports on Chinese military capabilities underscore the importance of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force in China’s nuclear deterrence strategy. As tensions rise, the global community will be closely monitoring China’s next moves, including any potential test launches of the CJ-1000.
What happens next remains uncertain, but military analysts expect China may soon conduct test launches to demonstrate its deterrent capabilities against U.S. forces in the Western Pacific. The international implications of this development could reshape military strategies and alliances, making it a crucial topic for ongoing global security discussions.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
