China has the largest land-based missile arsenal in the world. According to Pentagon estimates, this includes 1,200 conventionally armed short-range ballistic missiles, two hundred to three hundred conventional medium-range ballistic missiles and an unknown number of conventional intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as two to three hundred ground-launched cruise missiles. Many of these are extremely accurate, which would allow them to destroy targets even without nuclear warheads.
The DF-17 is a type of ballistic missile specifically designed to carry a hypersonic glide vehicle, such as DF-ZF. its estimated range is 1,800-2,000 km, and is expected to reach initial operational capability by 2020. It will be capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional payloads, as well as a maneuverable reentry vehicle instead of an HGV. The first test of the DF-17 ballistic missile took place on November 1, 2017.
The DF-26C is an IRBM with a range of at least 2,200 mi (3,500 km), far enough to reach U.S. naval bases in Guam. Few details are known, but it is believed to be solid-fuelled and road-mobile, allowing it to be stored in underground bunkers and fired at short notice, hence difficult to counter. It is possible that the DF-26C is a follow-up version of the DF-21. Possible warheads include conventional, nuclear or even maneuverable anti-ship and hypersonic glide warheads.
The JL-2 is a Chinese second-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) deployed on the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) Type 094 submarines. It succeeds the JL-1 SLBM deployed on the Type 092 submarine. The JL-2 is the first Chinese SLBM that allows PLAN ballistic missile submarines to strike portions of the United States from the Chinese coast, and provide China with a viable sea-based nuclear deterrent.
The DF-31 is China's newest road-mobile, solid-fuel ICBM developed by the 4th Aerospace Academy. The DF-31 has range of 8,000+ km, and can carry a single 1,000 kt warhead, or up to three 20-150 kt MIRV warheads. An improved version, the DF-31A, has range of 11,000+ km. The DF-31 was developed to replace many of China's older ballistic missiles, and served as basis to the new JL-2 SLBM. In 2009, approx. 30 DF-31/DF-31A are estimated to be in service; it is possible this number may have increased since then. 12 were displayed at the 2009 military parade in Beijing commemorating the 60th anniversary of the PRC's founding.
The DF-5 is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), designed to carry a 3 megaton (Mt) nuclear warhead to distance up to 12,000 km. The DF-5 is a silo-based, two-stage missile, and its rocket served as the basis for the space-launch vehicle Fengbao-Tempest (FB-1) used to launch satellites. The missile was developed in the 1960s, but did not enter service until 1981. An improved variant, the DF-5A, was produced in the mid 1990s with improved range (>13,000 km). Currently, an estimated 24-36 DF-5A's are in service as China's primary ICBM force. If the DF-5A is launched from the eastern part of the Qinghai province, it can reach cities like Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco. If it is launched from the most eastern parts of Manchuria, it can cover all of the mainland of the United States.
The DF-41, capable of being armed with a single, three, six or even ten MIRV warheads, is China's newest addition to its nuclear arsenal. With an estimated range between 12,000 - 15,000 km , it is believed to surpass the range that of the US's LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM to become the world's longest range missile, if not competitive at the very least. More details
The DF-17 is a type of ballistic missile specifically designed to carry a hypersonic glide vehicle, such as DF-ZF. its estimated range is 1,800-2,000 km, and is expected to reach initial operational capability by 2020. It will be capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional payloads, as well as a maneuverable reentry vehicle instead of an HGV. The first test of the DF-17 ballistic missile took place on November 1, 2017.
The DF-26C is an IRBM with a range of at least 2,200 mi (3,500 km), far enough to reach U.S. naval bases in Guam. Few details are known, but it is believed to be solid-fuelled and road-mobile, allowing it to be stored in underground bunkers and fired at short notice, hence difficult to counter. It is possible that the DF-26C is a follow-up version of the DF-21. Possible warheads include conventional, nuclear or even maneuverable anti-ship and hypersonic glide warheads.The JL-2 is a Chinese second-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) deployed on the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) Type 094 submarines. It succeeds the JL-1 SLBM deployed on the Type 092 submarine. The JL-2 is the first Chinese SLBM that allows PLAN ballistic missile submarines to strike portions of the United States from the Chinese coast, and provide China with a viable sea-based nuclear deterrent.
The DF-31 is China's newest road-mobile, solid-fuel ICBM developed by the 4th Aerospace Academy. The DF-31 has range of 8,000+ km, and can carry a single 1,000 kt warhead, or up to three 20-150 kt MIRV warheads. An improved version, the DF-31A, has range of 11,000+ km. The DF-31 was developed to replace many of China's older ballistic missiles, and served as basis to the new JL-2 SLBM. In 2009, approx. 30 DF-31/DF-31A are estimated to be in service; it is possible this number may have increased since then. 12 were displayed at the 2009 military parade in Beijing commemorating the 60th anniversary of the PRC's founding.
The DF-5 is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), designed to carry a 3 megaton (Mt) nuclear warhead to distance up to 12,000 km. The DF-5 is a silo-based, two-stage missile, and its rocket served as the basis for the space-launch vehicle Fengbao-Tempest (FB-1) used to launch satellites. The missile was developed in the 1960s, but did not enter service until 1981. An improved variant, the DF-5A, was produced in the mid 1990s with improved range (>13,000 km). Currently, an estimated 24-36 DF-5A's are in service as China's primary ICBM force. If the DF-5A is launched from the eastern part of the Qinghai province, it can reach cities like Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco. If it is launched from the most eastern parts of Manchuria, it can cover all of the mainland of the United States.
The DF-41, capable of being armed with a single, three, six or even ten MIRV warheads, is China's newest addition to its nuclear arsenal. With an estimated range between 12,000 - 15,000 km , it is believed to surpass the range that of the US's LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM to become the world's longest range missile, if not competitive at the very least. More details
