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China displays for first time its strategic nuclear triad, debuts air-launched JL-1, submarine-launched JL-3, land-based DF-61, DF-31BJ

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun, Fan Wei and Liang Rui Published: Sep 03, 2025 11:11 AM

The first nuclear missile formation consisting of JL-1 air-launched long-range missile, JL-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, as well as DF-61 and DF-31BJ land-based intercontinental missiles were reviewed at China's V-Day military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, marking the first concentrated appearance of China's land, sea, and air-based strategic nuclear triad.

Military affairs experts told the Global Times that with the addition of air-launched long-range missile and the upgrade of submarine-launched strategic missile into the intercontinental range, China's nuclear deterrence and strategic nuclear counterattack capabilities have been further enhanced, providing stronger and more reliable means of defending national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The first concentrated display of the Chinese military's land, sea, and air-based integrated strategic nuclear triad is a strategic trump card for safeguarding national sovereignty and defending national dignity. Among them, air-based strategic nuclear forces are showcased in parade for the first time, military affairs expert Shao Yongling told the Global Times, adding that the commissioning of the air-launched strategic missile provides China with an additional option for nuclear strikes, which can make China's nuclear deterrence and counterattack capabilities even more reliable and credible.

"The official debut of air-launched strategic missile means that China has become one of the few countries in the world with a nuclear triad," said military expert Zhang Junshe.

He told the Global Times that, generally speaking, air based strategic nuclear forces use strategic bombers as strike platforms, which have stronger maneuverability and survivability, making them one of the most reliable secondary nuclear strike forces. Strategic bombers can take off at any time to carry out nuclear strike readiness duty, and it is difficult to predict the location and timing of air-based strategic missile launches. This increases the difficulty for opponents to detect and reduces the probability of being intercepted, according to Zhang.

Zhang said that the air-launched long-range strategic missile can provide a supplement to China's existing nuclear strike methods. The strike method of long-range strategic bombers carrying long-range strategic missiles has a faster response time and can coordinate and support existing land-based and sea-based strategic missiles.

Meanwhile, the newly debuted JL-3 further extends the strike range of China's submarine-launched ballistic missiles. At the 2019 military parade during the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, the JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile made its first public appearance. Designated as a new-generation submarine-launched long-range ballistic missile, it features rapid response capabilities, high stealth performance, and a broad strike range. The new JL-3 is designated as an intercontinental ballistic missile. It marks that China's submarine-launched ballistic missile, which bears the responsibility of supporting the country's sea-based nuclear deterrence, has officially entered the intercontinental era.

"From long-range to intercontinental, this means that the range of JL-3 can reach about 10,000 kilometers, and it also means that even if launched in China's coastal areas, it can still cover all countries in the world that may pose a nuclear threat to China," Zhang said. The extended range also means that China's strategic nuclear submarines need not venture beyond the so-called second island chain or the depths of the Pacific Ocean to carry out nuclear counterstrikes, Zhang added. "From our coastal regions, we can maintain sea-based strategic nuclear strike capabilities. In our nearshore areas, we can also deploy more robust support and protective forces to safeguard strategic nuclear submarines carrying out counterstrike missions, thereby enhancing the survivability of China's sea-based strategic nuclear strike forces."

Shao also said that the new submarine-launched intercontinental missile can greatly enhance China's nuclear counterattack capability. "Generally speaking, the longer the range of submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the safer the nuclear submarines are. The expected range of the new submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile is about 10,000 kilometers, which also means that China's nuclear submarine does not need to go out to sea to carry out nuclear counterattack missions, but to conduct a second nuclear counterattack in the better supported and safer coastal waters," she said.

"Certainly, China's nuclear-powered strategic missile submarines can still go out to far seas and carry out strategic nuclear strikes. This combined deployment capability in both coastal waters and far seas also increase the difficulty for opponents to predict and enhances the suddenness of a second nuclear counterattack," Zhang said, adding that the commissioning of the JL-3 can effectively curb nuclear threats, blackmails, and blockades imposed by certain nuclear powers on China.

The coordination of land, sea, and air-based strategic nuclear forces can also break through the existing antiballistic missile networks in the world, further enhance China's strategic nuclear counterattack capability, and effectively defend China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests, Zhang added.