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China debuts DF-5C global-covering strategic nuclear missile; expert estimates range exceeding 20,000km

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun, Fan Wei and Liang Rui Published: Sep 03, 2025 10:52 AM

The new-type DF-5C liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missile made its debut 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. An expert told the Global Times that this missile has an estimated range of more than 20,000 kilometers, and has advantages in defense penetration and precision.

The newly debuted DF-5C liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missile has the entire globe under its strike range. It stands on guard at all times to effectively deter, preventing wars through force and helping stabilize the world.

"The DF-5C liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missile integrated technologies and experiences throughout the development of China's previous DF series missiles, including technological advantages of the DF-5 series and DF-41 missiles. It provides significant strategic values," missile technology and nuclear disarmament expert Professor Yang Chengjun told the Global Times.

Yang said that the DF-5C has six distinctive features. First, it has a new structure, as the whole missile is transported in three sections by three transport vehicles. It is expected that the launch preparation time will be shorter than the previous DF-5 series missiles, with a faster response speed.

Second, it has a longer range, and is capable of covering the entire globe. This means that its maximum range could exceed 20,000 kilometers, and that China has the capability and means to launch counterattacks on any military targets in the world that pose actual nuclear threats to China, Yang said.

Based on the development of previous DF series strategic missiles, Yang said that the third feature of the DF-5C could be its variety in launch methods.

The fourth feature is fast flight speed. As a strategic intercontinental ballistic missile that can cover the entire globe, its flight speed is estimated to reach tens of Mach, leaving contemporary ballistic missile interception systems with minimal time to prepare, said the expert.

Fifth, the DF-5C can carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV), equipped with nuclear or conventional warheads, according to Yang. He believes that China has already mastered MIRV technologies in previous DF series intercontinental ballistic missiles, so this "standard" technology should also be equipped by the new DF-5C. "The MIRVs could be equipped with nuclear or conventional warheads, or decoys. This can greatly increase the challenges for defense systems to intercept," Yang said.

The sixth feature is guided precision. Yang said that intercontinental ballistic missiles generally use inertial guidance system and starlight guidance system technologies. Combined with China's independently developed Beidou navigation system, after comprehensively applying multiple guidance methods, the precision of the DF-5C is expected to be very high. Even when attacking targets 20,000 kilometers away, it can have a similar precision of mid to short-range missiles in the DF series, the expert said.

Strategic missiles are important weapons for major powers and a crucial means of safeguarding national security. Yang said that while multiple new-type strategic nuclear strike weapons, including the DF-5C, are comprehensively displayed at the military parade, they are consistent with China's nuclear strategy.

China has always adhered to a nuclear strategy that is defensive in nature, with the aim of deterring other countries from using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against China and ensuring national strategic security. China has always adhered to the nuclear policy of not being the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances, and unconditionally not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and nuclear weapon free zones. China advocates for the ultimate complete prohibition and thorough disarmament of nuclear weapons, will not engage in a nuclear arms race with any country, and will always maintain its own nuclear forces at the lowest level necessary for national security.

"The appearance of these strategic weapons is of great significance. First, it tells the Chinese people not to forget the history. Second, it reminds people not to ignore the real threats. The security situation China is facing is still complex and severe. This parade also shows that our country's military means to deal with external threats are constantly developing and enriching." Yang said.