For the first time in 44 years, China has launched intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads into the Pacific Ocean. On the same day, Yu Qingjiang , deputy commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, said that China is now ready to unveil to the world the new combat aircraft. For the Pentagon, a “gigantic expansion” of China's nuclear arsenal is underway
At 8:44 a.m. on September 25, the Rocket Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a simulated training warhead into the relevant open sea area of the Pacific Ocean, and it accurately landed in the predetermined sea area.
The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was launched from a land base with a simulated warhead and has a range of 12,000 kilometers. This weapon has the ability to hit targets in any corner of the world within 26 minutes.
The missile launch was a routine arrangement for the annual military training of the Rocket Force, which effectively tested the performance of weapons and equipment and the level of training of the troops, and achieved the desired purpose. The Chinese side informed the countries concerned in advance.
Dongfeng-41 intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles - Credit China Military
This is a very rare event, or a first in the history of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Missile Force and even the PLA. Before that, China had launched rockets in the South Pacific only once, with the “580” mission in 1980. At that time it was a scientific launch to test the full range of the Dongfeng 5 ballistic missile.
Today is the first time the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted an operational test launch of a full-scale intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific Ocean.
In May 1980, the naval convoy set sail for the first time to the South Pacific to carry out the 580 mission.
In 1980, in addition to the launch of intercontinental missiles in the pre-determined waters of the South Pacific Ocean, the naval convoy also successfully carried out the launch test measurements, rescue and recovery of Dongfeng 5 ICBMs. The launch fiu accompanied by a formation of 18 ships, becoming the largest oceanic military operation carried out by the Chinese Navy since the establishment of the new China.
Today, 44 years later, China's navy has transitioned to the oceans, the spacecraft measurement and control network has been extended from national to global territory, and the Missile Force has become a strategic support for China's global strategic posture.
In the past, after equipping missiles, our Rocket Force also had to conduct annual launch training and tests. In live launches, the missiles were usually fired at high trajectories toward the Northwest Range in order to prevent leakage of information. These missile test launches are not publicly announced, although there is a flight ban notice in advance. And this time we conducted a missile launch into the relevant waters of the Pacific Ocean, undoubtedly demonstrating to the world the performance and strength of China's intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
For China's strategic nuclear forces, this is a public demonstration of China's strategic nuclear deterrent to the world. As the only country in the world that has pledged not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries, China has always been very cautious in the use of its strategic nuclear forces.
Nowadays, as China's nuclear force is growing stronger, the rocket force's display to the world is also extremely necessary. As some arms control experts have said, the test-firing of this strategic missile is undoubtedly conducive to the stabilization of the situation in the neighbourhood and sends a very clear signal to the countries concerned.
Air Force vice commander: new fighter planes will make a public appearance at Zhuhai Air Show
On September 25, at the press conference of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo (CIAAE), Yu Qingjiang, deputy commander of the PLA Air Force, disclosed that the equipment that people have been wanting to see and that can be shown to them at this stage will be brought out to share with all sectors of the community the fruits of the Chinese Air Force's development.
“The new warplanes developed by the air force in recent years will be shown publicly, visualizing the capability of long-range strategic delivery and air strikes” he said.
For the Pentagon, a “gigantic expansion” of China's nuclear arsenal is underway
In October last year, the Pentagon warned that the People's Republic of China (PRC) was developing weapons of mass destruction on an unprecedented scale. According to U.S. intelligence, Beijing has built at least 100 nuclear warheads in the past year and is rapidly moving toward the goal of expanding its nuclear arsenal.
According to the Pentagon report, China has accumulated more than 500 nuclear warheads and is on track to have 1,000 destructive weapons by 2030.
The Department of Defense's annual report to Congress on the status of China's strategic capabilities and military force, known as the People's Liberation Army (PLA), details how Chinese forces are rapidly modernizing their nuclear arsenal as the rivalry with the United States deepens.
The Pentagon warns that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is developing weapons of mass destruction on an unprecedented scale.
Over the next decade, the PRC will continue to rapidly modernize, diversify and expand its nuclear forces,” the report said. “Compared to the PLAs nuclear modernization efforts a decade ago, current efforts detract from previous attempts in both scope and complexity.”
China is pursuing the construction of nuclear weapons delivery platforms, including land, sea and air systems, the Pentagon report states.
Dongfeng-31AG nuclear missiles - Credit China Military
In 2022, Beijing also built three new silo fields to launch nuclear missiles from underground and completed construction of 300 new intercontinental ballistic missile systems.
And the PLA's Rocket Force, which operates the nation's nuclear and strategic missiles, is exploring conventionally armed intercontinental-range missile systems that could threaten the United States, according to the report.
For years, the Pentagon has warned of China's rapid nuclear expansion. A 2024 report stated that Chinese forces were on track to have 1,500 nuclear weapons within 13 years.
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