The official statement from China’s Ministry of National Defense stated that the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) carried out this test as a “routine arrangement” and “not directed against any country or target”.1 Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said that the launch was conducted to assess the performance of the troops’ weapons, equipment, and training levels. [...] Although the type of missile was not revealed, many analysts, through analysis of photos and range, concluded that it was a variant of DF-31 and most likely the DF-31AG.3 The DF-31 entered into service in 2006 and can carry a single warhead. [...] This test was the first full-range test of the DF- 31.4 The last time China publicly conducted a test into the ocean was in May 1980, when the DF-5 missile was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and travelled over 9,000 kilometres before hitting a target in the South Pacific. [...] The internal reason for the test is to boost the morale of the PLARF, and the external factor is to solidify China's international position as a growing power.17 Similarly, Song Zhongping, a former PLARF officer, said full-range flight tests are essential for verifying the performance of new strategic missiles. [...] Accessed on October 04, 2024.
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- Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Centre for Air Power Studies CAPS 1
- Centre for Air Power Studies CAPSIndia Centre for Air Power Studies Centre for Air Power Studies 1
- This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International License. 1
- About the test 2
- On September 25 China launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile ICBM carrying a dummy 2
- Defense stated that the PLA Rocket Force PLARF carried out this test as a routine arrangement and 2
- The missile flew almost 12000 kilometres 7460 miles from its launch point on Hainan Island. It 2
- Polynesian Marquesas Islands. Although the type of missile was not revealed many analysts through 2
- The DF-31 entered into service in 2006 and can carry a single warhead. It has two variants the 2
- DF-31A and the DF-31AG with a range of up to 13200 km 8200 miles. The DF-31 is a silo-based 2
- 31. 2
- The last time China publicly conducted a test into the ocean was in May 1980 when the DF-5 2
- 9000 kilometres before hitting a target in the South Pacific. It was the DF-5s first full-range flight test. 2
- How Countries Responded 2
- China claimed that it had informed neighbouring countries in advance. However Chief Cabinet Secretary 2
- Yoshimasa Hayashi refuted this and expressed Japans growing alarm at Chinas increasing military 2
- France and the US however reported that they had received notification about the test. The 2
- Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh described this prior information as a step in the right direction 2
- Recently the US and China have taken steps to resume military-to-military communications. In 3
- August during Jake Sullivans visit to China he met with Central Military Commission Vice Chairman 3
- General Zhang Youxia and discussed military communication. After this meeting PLA Southern 3
- Theater Commander General Wu Yanan and US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo held 3
- Defense Conference in Hawaii where he met with Admiral Paparo again. 3
- Chinas ICBM Stockpile and Reasons for the Test 3
- The PLARF currently operates the DF-5 DF-31 and DF-41 all of which are capable of hitting most of the 3
- US. The DF-31 and DF-41 are mobile and solid-fueled with the DF-41 capable of carrying up to five 3
- There are nine bases under PLARF control. Of these six bases Bases 61-66 are responsible for 3
- According to an estimate from the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists PLARF operates around 350 3
- In recent years several corruption cases within the PLARF have undermined its credibility. By 3
- Zhao a senior fellow at Carnegie argues that after a series of corruption scandals and leadership 3
- Similarly Song Zhongping a former PLARF officer said full-range flight tests are essential for 3
- This ICBM test by China can also be interpreted as a strategic signal aimed at US military 4
- Missile System in the Philippines during their Balikatan Joint Military Exercise. Initially it was supposed 4
- China criticised this move through various statements and termed it as a threat to regional peace. For 4
- To sum up this test intends to signal both domestic and international audiences about Chinas capability 4
- NOTES 4
