On Saturday, August 16, 2025, in Beijing, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) held preparations for the military parade scheduled for September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The celebrations will be presided over by CCP Chairman Xi Jinping, and the event is intended to commemorate China’s victory in the war against Japan. The new-generation combat platforms have attracted considerable attention.
Upon Completion of the Parade Formation Drills, the Armored Forces Returned to the Garrison | Beijing Late Night
New Tank
New Fire Support System
New Airborne IFV
New Airborne Armored CarriersSounds Like the Vehicles has Good Noise Control https://t.co/imhaQcpE4c pic.twitter.com/3JjqdxDJLX
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 16, 2025
Among the vehicles spotted was the fourth-generation tank, first revealed in May of this year, which, according to various sources, has been designated ZTZ-201 or ZTZ-20/Type 20. The vehicle is reportedly equipped with a new-generation 105 mm smoothbore gun with a muzzle velocity of 1,706 m/s—interestingly, without a visible bore evacuator (for comparison, the light tank ZTQ-15/Type 15 is fitted with a rifled gun of this caliber — ed.). Chinese sources suggest a modular approach, with the option of fitting a 125 mm gun. Secondary armament includes a remotely operated weapon station, likely adapted for countering the increasingly widespread use of drones.
On the hull, three periscopes can be observed, indicating a three-person crew located inside the hull, which means the turret is uncrewed and equipped with a mechanized autoloader (a configuration similar to the Russian T-14 Armata). The total combat weight has been estimated at around 40 tons.
🇨🇳 PLA Gen IV Light Tank https://t.co/jSiJWJuxPQ pic.twitter.com/PNzQsm30fD
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 17, 2025
A novelty is said to be the Chinese equivalent of the Israeli Iron Vision system, a helmet-mounted sighting system for commanders and drivers, based on See-Through-Armor (STA) augmented reality technology. The Chinese system is reportedly composed of four radar system antennas and at least 13 LiDAR laser-radar sensors integrated into the hull and turret, providing 360-degree coverage for both navigation and targeting.
https://t.co/o2E0gIkfcf pic.twitter.com/CRWniMwWWO
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 17, 2025
The propulsion system is reported to be a diesel-electric power pack generating just over 1,700 hp, consisting of a 960 kW (1,305 hp) diesel engine and a 300 kW (408 hp) electric motor, providing a maximum road speed of 84–85 km/h and an off-road speed of 40–60 km/h.
Crew protection is ensured by a hard-kill Active Protection System (APS), comprising four radars and two counter-missile launchers, along with additional smoke grenade launchers.
It is worth noting that the vehicles mentioned appear to share hull designs to a large extent, as well as some onboard systems, such as the helmet-mounted sighting system for commanders and drivers mentioned above.
Those include
- fire support vehicle of unknown designation:
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 17, 2025
Different Angle – PLA Next Gen Fire Support Vehicle/IFV
Img2 – AR/VR Glasses Display is Helmet Mounted https://t.co/uOy6pT34CC pic.twitter.com/DuVeDgEpUo
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 17, 2025
- airborne infantry fighting vehicle
PLA Airborne Armored IFV pic.twitter.com/U8O7uvKBw3
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 17, 2025
- airborne armored carrier
🇨🇳 PLA Airborne Armored Carrier pic.twitter.com/3ThE6nnbq1
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 17, 2025
- airborne mobile mortar platform
🇨🇳 PLA Airborne Mobile Mortar Platform pic.twitter.com/s5Vp4MnTT5
— David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 17, 2025