In a powerful display of military might, China has unveiled its most potent intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-5C, during a military parade in Beijing. This strategic weapon is a modernized version of the country’s oldest ICBM, transformed into a modern powerhouse. The DF-5C’s debut has drawn the attention of military analysts around the globe, with its immense range and payload capacity raising questions about the future of global nuclear deterrence.
According to Chinese state media, the DF-5C has an estimated range of over 20,000 kilometers (more than 12,400 miles). This places the entire globe within its strike radius, including every part of the continental United States, Europe, and all of Asia. This capability makes it one of the most formidable global-strike weapons ever built, ensuring China’s ability to hold any potential adversary within its nuclear crosshairs. The missile’s existence, according to a Chinese military blogger, “strengthens our nuclear deterrent strategy, ensuring effective retaliatory strikes, even under the harshest war conditions.”
A key feature of the DF-5C is its ability to carry multiple warheads. The missile is capable of delivering up to 10 Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs). This means that a single missile can target and destroy up to 10 different locations at the same time. This multi-warhead capability is a significant advancement over previous DF-5 variants and is designed to overwhelm and defeat advanced missile defense systems used by the U.S. and its allies. Each warhead can have a yield of up to 4 megatons, capable of destroying multiple cities, military bases, or command centers in a single salvo.
While the DF-5C is a liquid-fueled, two-stage missile and is primarily deployed in hardened, silo-based launch sites, its design includes a new modular three-section transport system. This feature, which was highlighted at the parade, is intended to reduce launch preparation time and enhance its rapid response capability. This is a crucial improvement for a missile that previously took hours to fuel and ready for launch.
The display of the DF-5C at the military parade serves as a clear message from Beijing. Alongside other advanced weaponry, it demonstrates China’s commitment to building a credible and sufficient strategic nuclear deterrent. The DF-5C’s immense range, powerful payload, and ability to defeat missile defenses make it a “true monster” in the world of strategic weapons and a new factor in the global balance of power.
