China flexes its nuclear muscle: First intercontinental missile test
For the first time in several decades, China has officially confirmed the testing of an intercontinental ballistic missile in a press conference organized for this purpose. Although the missile carried a mock-up instead of a nuclear warhead, the way the test was conducted suggests that China wants to emphasise its nuclear strike capabilities.
In a communiqué, Beijing stated that it had carried out a "routine test" as part of the annual training schedule and assured neighbouring countries that they were notified about the test.
Although no details were provided about the missile or the exact location where it landed, it is known that the missile was launched towards the ocean and fell into international waters.
This constitutes a novelty in the Chinese ballistic missile test programme. Until now, taking advantage of the country's size, China tested such weapons over its territory, and the missiles fell on one of its missile ranges.
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Despite the lack of any technical details, experts believe the tested missile is most likely the DF-41 (Dongfeng-41).
Weighing 80,000 kilograms and measuring 22 metres, the missile has an estimated range of 13,000-14,500 kilometres and can carry up to eight MIRV sub-warheads. It can be launched from silos, wheeled mobile launchers, and special railway cars.
Chinese nuclear armament
The missile test fits into a much broader context of the development of China's nuclear arsenal. For decades, the Middle Kingdom maintained modest strategic forces with only a few dozen warheads and limited delivery means, which was enough to ensure nuclear deterrence.
However, recent years have been a time of intensive armament – in at least three bases; China is building hundreds of missile silos, modernising submarines capable of carrying ballistic missiles and working on the hard-to-detect H-20 strategic bomber.
Beijing's nuclear potential is currently estimated at around 500 warheads, but – according to experts – by 2030, it could rise to as many as 1,000 nuclear warheads.
