The People’s Liberation Army launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday morning, according to the Chinese defence ministry.
The ministry said the PLA’s Rocket Force successfully launched an ICBM carrying a simulated warhead that “accurately landed in the predetermined sea area” in the high seas.
“This missile launch is a routine arrangement of the Rocket Force’s annual military training. It effectively tests the performance of weapons and equipment and the level of troop training,” the ministry statement said.
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“[It] achieved the expected purpose. China notified relevant countries in advance.”
An ICBM typically has a range greater than 5,500km (3,420 miles) and is designed to carry nuclear warheads.
China’s latest ICBM is known to be DF-41, which first came into service in 2017 and has an operational range of up to 12,000–15,000km (7,460-9,320 miles), capable of reaching the US mainland.
China’s ICBM test comes as missile activities have been ratcheting up in the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier this month, North Korea conducted several short-range ballistic missile tests, flying towards the Sea of Japan or East Sea.
It is the first time in 44 years that China is known to have successfully conducted an atmospheric test of an ICBM. 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.
More to come ...
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