China fires ICBM missile deep into the Pacific Ocean for the first time since 1980
An ICBM has a range of more than 5,500 kilometres (3,420 miles) and is designed to carry nuclear weapons.
China’s defence ministry revealed in an unusual statement on Wednesday that it has successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic (ICBM missile) into the Pacific Ocean while carrying a mock warhead. According to reports, the US, Taiwan, and Japan could be in danger following the missile launch on Wednesday.
“The PLA [People’s Liberation Army] Rocket Force launched an ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile] carrying a dummy warhead to the high seas in the Pacific Ocean at 08:44 on September 25th, and the missile fell into expected sea areas,” the statement from China’s Ministry of National Defence on Wednesday stated.
According to the ministry, this test launch is a standard procedure included in our yearly training schedule. “It is in line with international law and international practice and is not directed against any country or target,” said the ministry. The ministry was cited by the South China Morning Post as saying, “[It] achieved the expected purpose. China notified relevant countries in advance.”
China had never before stated in public that it had successfully fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean.
International Implications
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence commented on X after the PLA made its statement, saying, “PLA recently also has been an intensive execution of missile launches and other training exercises. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
Over the past five years, Taiwan has frequently protested about growing military activity by China around the island. Taiwan is claimed as Chinese territory. China has usually carried out these tests in its own airspace, an analyst told AFP.
“This is extremely unusual, and most likely the first time in decades that we’ve seen a test like this,” Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said. “[The test] likely speaks to China’s ongoing nuclear modernisation manifesting in new requirements for testing,” he stated.
The US Defence Department had previously stated that China had more than 500 operable nuclear warheads as of May 2023 and is expected to have more than 1,000 by 2030.
The Pentagon stated in the paper that China’s military is building hundreds of secret silos for land-based ICBMs. According to the Guardian, the US and Russia have deployed 1,770 and 1,710 active warheads, respectively.
ICBM Missile Capabilities
An ICBM has a range of more than 5,500 kilometres (3,420 miles) and is designed to carry nuclear weapons. The South China Morning Post stated that China’s most recent ICBM is known as DF-41.
According to the article, the DF-41 entered service in 2017 and has an operational range of up to 12,000-15,000 kilometres (7,460-9,320 miles), capable of reaching the US mainland. According to the article, this is China’s first successful atmospheric ICBM test in 44 years. The report states, “The first test of a Chinese ICBM took place in May 1980, when a DF-5 flew more than 9,000km. Since then, most of China’s nuclear weapons tests have been conducted underground.”
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