China's first missile brigade, carrying the country's surface-to-surface conventional missiles, rumbled past Tian'anmen Rostrum Thursday.

The homegrown missiles were carried by 18 mobile launchers, in a specially-designed formation.

It was the first of five missile groups, representing the country's strategic missile force, in a once-in-a-decade parade marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The equipment and soldiers driving the mobile launch vehicles, came from the country's first surface-to-surface conventional missile brigade, which was established in 1993.

Another new-model short-range conventional missiles also debuted at the National Day parade, riding on vehicles that remarkably increased the missiles' maneuverability.

The crack troop commanding the missiles was "a main force for intermediate and long-range military attacks," according to the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

It has conducted many key tasks, aiming to "boost combat power in tough environment to win the information-based future war."

Yu Jixun, Deputy Commander of the PLA Second Artillery Force, said the conventional missiles could launch precision strikes in all weathers and directions.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2009)