China Debuts DF-5C Missile Capable of Global Reach at V-Day Parade
China introduced its latest intercontinental strategic nuclear missile, the DF-5C, on Wednesday during a significant military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Experts indicate that the DF-5C is a liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with an estimated range of over 20,000 kilometers, theoretically allowing it to reach targets globally. This missile is crafted to bolster China’s nuclear deterrence by improving precision, speed, and defense penetration capabilities.
Professor Yang Chengjun, a missile technology expert, noted that the DF-5C represents the culmination of decades of progress in China’s DF missile series, incorporating technologies from both the DF-5 and DF-41 systems.
Professor Yang identified six major improvements in the DF-5C:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| New Structure & Mobility | Transported in three sections by separate vehicles, the missile reportedly has shorter launch preparation time and faster response speed than earlier DF-5 variants. |
| Global Range | With a range exceeding 20,000 km, China gains the capability to launch counterstrikes on any target worldwide that poses a nuclear threat. |
| Flexible Launch Options | Built on the experience of earlier DF-series missiles, the DF-5C is expected to support varied launch methods. |
| High-Speed Flight | The missile is said to reach speeds of several tens of Mach, drastically limiting interception windows for existing missile defense systems. |
| MIRV Capability | The DF-5C can carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), armed with either nuclear or conventional warheads, or decoys, making interception highly difficult. |
| Enhanced Precision | Using inertial and starlight guidance combined with China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system, the DF-5C is expected to achieve high accuracy even at maximum range. |
Chinese analysts pointed out that the DF-5C, along with other strategic weapons showcased at the parade, highlights Beijing’s defensive nuclear stance. China has consistently maintained a “no first use” policy regarding nuclear weapons and commits not to target non-nuclear states or nuclear-free zones.
Professor Yang explained that the unveiling fulfills three primary objectives: it serves as a reminder of wartime history, underscores the ongoing external security challenges facing China, and demonstrates the modernization of China’s military deterrence capabilities.
Despite emphasizing its deterrent role, Chinese officials reiterated that the nation does not aspire to engage in a nuclear arms race and intends to keep its arsenal at the minimum essential level for national security.
