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On September 3, 2025, China marked the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan in World War II with a grand military parade in Beijing. This event offered China a platform to display its growing military power to the world, including spotlighting the capabilities of its Chengdu J-20s—advanced twin-seat fifth-generation stealth fighter jets.
The Victory Parade was attended by 26 global leaders, notably Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The event featured an impressive showcase of China’s cutting-edge military technology and strategic alliances.
The Chengdu J-20, nicknamed the ‘Mighty Dragon,’ is a twin-engine, all-weather stealth fighter aircraft with three variants: J-20, J-20A, and J-20S. The J-20 was first designed in 2010, while its advanced variants debuted in 2022 and 2024, respectively. China is only the third country after the US and Russia to produce fifth-generation fighter jets, with the US fielding the F-22 and F-35, and Russia operating the Su-57.
A highlight of the parade was the Chengdu J-20S-the world’s first two-seat fifth-generation stealth fighter. Military experts suggest that the second pilot enhances combat performance by functioning as an additional mission commander, delivering real-time commands, managing ‘loyal wingmen’ drones, and possibly conducting airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) missions. This sophisticated integration may push the J-20S into 5.5-generation fighter status, positioning China as a pioneer in manned-unmanned cooperative aerial warfare.
Experts like Zhang Xuefeng regard the two-seat J-20S as a “number ten player in soccer”-both a high scorer and a strategic leader-showcasing how the second pilot's presence could revolutionize air combat.
The parade not only commemorated a historic victory but also demonstrated China’s ambitions to advance its military technology and strengthen its strategic global positioning.
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