In one notable upgrade to China’s military technology, the DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missile was unveiled during Wednesday’s events.
The colossal liquid-fuelled nuclear weapons – part of the country’s “Dongfeng” missile series – were displayed during the parade in the flat beds of large, camouflaged military vehicles.
The Global Times, a nationalist tabloid, said that the DF-5C is capable of striking anywhere on Earth.
“It stands on guard at all times to effectively deter, preventing wars through force and helping stabilise the world,” it said.
The parade featured hypersonic anti-ship missiles that China has previously tested against mockups of US aircraft carriers. Those included the Yingji-17, Yingji-19 and Yingji-20. Yingji means “eagle attack” in Chinese.
The missiles can be launched from ships or aircraft and are designed to inflict critical damage on large vessels. The models shown could be hypersonic, meaning they can fly at least five times the speed of sound.
Other missiles featured included cruise missiles – the Changjian-20A, Yingji-18C, Changjian-1000 – and other hypersonic missiles like the Yingji-21, Dongfeng-17 and Dongfeng-26D, with which China‘s state media said were equipped with “all-weather combat capabilities”.
The Dongfeng-26D is a variant dubbed the “Guam Killer” for its ability to strike the US territory as well as naval groups operating as far as the Second Island Chain.
Source: CNA
