China debuts new Long March rockets at global air show

China's aerospace technologies and products, including models of its next-generation Long March-6A and Long March-12 rockets, are now on display at the 2025 Paris Air Show, running from June 16 to 22. This marks the first appearance of the two rocket models at an international air show.

The Long March-6A is China's first medium-lift rocket equipped with solid strap-on boosters and uses non-toxic, eco-friendly propellants. It is designed to meet future demands for diversified and high-frequency satellite launches. The Long March-12, meanwhile, is China's first single-core, liquid-fueled launch vehicle with a 3.8-meter diameter. It significantly enhances capabilities for sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) injection and low Earth orbit (LEO) multi-constellation deployment.

The exhibition booth also features models such as the Long March-2D, Long March-3B and Long March-8 rockets, as well as the DFH-3E all-electric propulsion small communication satellite. Through videos and multimedia presentations, visitors can explore a range of exhibits, including sounding rockets, communication satellites, remote sensing satellite products, the BeiDou Navigation System, manned space missions, the lunar exploration project and China's deep space exploration program.

China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), participating in this air show, is a commercial organization that provides services including commercial launches, in-orbit delivery of satellite systems and space technology cooperation. It is a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and is devoted to the international development of the country's commercial space industry.

Since the Long March rockets entered the international market in the 1990s, CGWIC has completed 101 commercial launch missions, deploying 74 international commercial satellites and 261 domestic commercial satellites. In addition, CGWIC has provided 52 rideshare launch services, sending 29 international payloads and 127 domestic commercial satellites into orbit.

As China's aerospace capabilities grow increasingly competitive, CGWIC – the nation's international platform for the space industry – is drawing significant global attention.