A column of unidentified vehicles, each of them covered by a notably large, box-like structure, passing through the Chinese capital recently, poses something of a mystery. At this stage, we know next to nothing about what kinds of vehicles are concealed beneath these bizarre carapaces, although it’s more than conceivable that they have some military or military-related purpose, with some observers suggesting they could be a new type of tank or other armored vehicle. Nevertheless, in the absence of more imagery or details, we cannot say for sure.

China to unveil mystery tank at September 3 military parade marking victory over militarist Japan—spotted using unusual camouflage. pic.twitter.com/2ozIYTlRia

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The vehicles appeared in a video that recently began to circulate on social media, and which seems to have originated on the Chinese social networking platform Xiaohongshu. It was then reportedly removed from there. The date of the footage is unknown, but it is thought to be recent. The location is said to be near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which would make sense if these vehicles were related to some sort of military parade.

Tanks were spotted being transported under a camouflage shell near Tiananmen Square on Chang’an Avenue in Beijing. The shells were labeled “Road Inspection Vehicle,” identical to the text on the first large truck that passed.

This video first appeared on the Chinese video… https://t.co/cFB5PEbCaVpic.twitter.com/Btdz59MmlC

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At least four of the odd-looking vehicles are seen moving, at night, along a portion of an apparently closed-off road. Each of the vehicles, with their blue-painted coverings, is closely accompanied by a standard truck. It’s possible that those white trucks are serving to further conceal the covered vehicles from closer inspection, although that cannot be confirmed. They may also be close by to provide additional instructions to the drivers of the mystery vehicles, as well as illuminating the road with their headlamps.

The dimensions of the boxy blue structures are such that there is no way of actually determining what kind of vehicle is hidden below. Furthermore, rubber skirts around the bottom of the structure mean we can’t say for sure if the concealed vehicles feature wheels or tracks, although the rumbling sound is more consistent with a heavy military vehicle, armored or otherwise. The size and dimensions, as well as the locations of various apertures, also point to an armored vehicle of some kind.

A small aperture at the rear of the structure indicates that at least some of the internal area is illuminated, which is unusual since the open area at the front of the vehicle doesn’t appear to be lit, or if so, only dimly.

The writing on the sides of the mystery vehicles reads “Road Inspection Vehicle,” although there is no obvious type that appears to match this description. On the other hand, the first standard blue truck seen passing in the video has the same writing on it and would seem to fit this purpose.

While it remains possible that the mystery vehicles are somehow related to roadworks, the idea of this being a (literal) cover for some other kind of vehicle seems more likely at this time.

Indeed, at least one social media description identified the hidden vehicles as tanks, although it’s not clear if this is based on eyewitness accounts or if it’s more like guesswork.

There is also speculation that, whatever these vehicles are, they may be related in some way to an upcoming military parade scheduled for Sept. 3. This will take place in Tiananmen Square and will commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in World War II.

Wu Zeke, deputy director-general of the Operation Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of China’s Central Military Commission, has said that this parade will include “new-type combat capabilities” as well as traditional combat forces.

In the past, events like these have seen the Chinese government put a large amount of previously unseen weapons and other hardware on display, including new mockups of stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicles, examples of high-speed rocket-powered reconnaissance drones, new bombers capable of carrying outsized payloads, and much more. We may well be in for more of the same come September.

Perhaps, these mystery vehicles do conceal some new and previously unseen kind of combat vehicle, or other military equipment, destined to make its public debut later this year. If that’s the case, the considerable effort that has been taken to hide (at least four of) them from prying eyes is very noteworthy. It’s also somewhat odd that a rehearsal for an event in September would take place so early, although far from impossible. China unveiling a next-generation tank, for example, would be very much in line with what we have come to expect from parades like this.

Once again, there could also be a much more innocuous explanation, too.

In the meantime, if you have any information about these mysterious trucks, let us know!

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com