China recently conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), believed to be the DF-41, its longest-range missile with a potential travel distance of about 12,000 km. This missile, capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 25, is designed to carry up to 10 nuclear warheads, marking it as a significant part of China’s expanding military capabilities.
The launch occurred on Wednesday at 8:44 a.m. Beijing time (0044 GMT) from Hainan Island and targeted an area near the French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific. China’s Ministry of Defence stated that the missile successfully landed in the “expected sea areas.” According to the ministry, the launch was part of China’s routine annual training plan and was not aimed at any specific country or target.
The launch has raised international concerns, especially given China’s growing nuclear arsenal. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, responsible for overseeing the country’s missile systems, emphasized that the test was to evaluate the performance of weapons and the training level of their troops. China also informed relevant countries beforehand, as reported by Xinhua, although no specific details were provided on the missile’s trajectory or its landing location in the Pacific Ocean.
A warning from the Japan Coast Guard, issued after receiving a notification from China, mentioned “space debris” in three zones: the South China Sea, north of the Philippines’ Luzon Island, and the South Pacific.
China’s missile tests into the sea are rare, as the country often prefers to conduct them in remote areas like Inner Mongolia. Analysts believe the modernisation of China’s nuclear forces, particularly in response to enhanced U.S. missile defences and intelligence capabilities, is a driving factor. However, some experts warn that the rapid pace of China’s nuclear development may exceed the needs for “credible minimum deterrence” – the smallest arsenal required to deter attacks.
China has long adhered to a “no first use” nuclear policy, but its military is rapidly advancing. The PLA is working to build a nuclear triad, capable of launching nuclear strikes from land, sea, and air, similar to the strategies employed by other major nuclear powers.
China notified relevant countries ahead of its missile launch, according to Xinhua. The launch, as stated by China’s Defense Ministry, was not directed at any country or target and complied with international laws and practices.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying a simulated warhead into international waters in the Pacific Ocean. Xinhua described the missile launch as a routine part of the Rocket Force’s annual training.
China currently has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads, including around 350 ICBMs. The Pentagon estimates that this number could exceed 1,000 by 2030. Additionally, China is building hundreds of silos for its land-based ICBMs.
In comparison, the U.S. and Russia each deploy over 1,700 operational nuclear warheads. By 2030, many of China’s weapons are expected to be maintained at higher readiness levels. The last full-range ICBM launch by China was the DF-5 missile in May 1980, marking a 44-year gap until the latest launch.
This missile launch has further highlighted concerns over China’s nuclear ambitions and its potential impact on global security.
Update
China reportedly launched the Dongfeng-31AG intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) yesterday, with the Chinese PLA releasing images of the test.
The missile’s estimated range is between 11,000 km and over 13,000 km, meaning it can reach most of the continental United States, as well as parts of Europe and Asia.
It has a payload capacity of 1,050 to 1,750 kg, capable of carrying a single nuclear warhead or multiple warheads (MIRVs), with explosive yields ranging from 20 to 90 kilotons.
The Dongfeng-31AG is a road-mobile missile, and its launch vehicle can move over rough terrain, making it more difficult to detect and destroy.
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