Sources: All information stated in this article is based on reliable information, and is summarized at the end of this article
"This ICBM launch is the closest to real combat."
After 44 years, China launched another intercontinental missile into the Pacific Ocean.
Chinese officials have not paid much attention to this, it is just a routine briefing. However, the news caused a lot of heated discussions in the outside world, so much so that the Pentagon of United States responded.
So, what's so special about this launch experiment?
There are several keys to this launch experiment
At 8:44 a.m. on September 25, the PLA Rocket Force successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a simulated warhead.
The launch target was located somewhere in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, and the ICBM landed exactly in the predetermined sea area as set.
Historically, the last time China publicly reported an ICBM launch was in the People's Daily on May 18, 1980. The report is about the launch test of the Dongfeng-5 intercontinental ballistic missile, which was set at a target in the waters of the South Pacific Ocean.
At that time, the successful launch of ICBMs marked a key step forward in the mainland's strategic deterrence system and laid a solid strategic security guarantee for reform and opening up.
In the following 40 years or so, all of China's ICBM launch experiments and training were carried out openly or privately in the mainland.
It can be seen that the open test of such a weapon with global strike capability is never a trivial matter, but a major event that can have a bearing on the entire national strategy and affect the international situation.
Now, after 44 years, such a major event has happened again, and it is inevitable that people will wonder what other major changes will happen next that will affect the national level and the world pattern.
In addition, since the site chosen for this launch experiment is in the open sea of the Pacific Ocean.
Officially, though, no specific flight route has been announced. However, on the same day, a no-sail announcement was issued in the South China Sea, the southern part of the Philippine Sea, and the South Pacific Ocean, and relevant countries were notified in advance.
Foreign media predict the launch range of China's intercontinental missiles
United States Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina · Singh said on September 25 local time that they received notice of the test in advance.
She believes that China's move is a good thing, and she feels that it is moving in the right direction and can effectively prevent misunderstanding or miscalculation on both sides.
In fact, China's actions should achieve two effects, one of which is to indirectly demonstrate the scope of force deterrence while ensuring the safety of ships at sea.
Another effect is to avoid misunderstandings among other countries and fully demonstrate China's willingness to maintain peace.
As the Chinese government has always emphasized, China's weapons development and progress are all for the purpose of safeguarding sovereignty and ensuring peace, and it has absolutely no intention of dominating the world or embarrassing other countries.
The day after the launch test, a spokesman for the mainland's Ministry of National Defense once again stressed at a news conference that the launch test was a routine military training activity. The process is also lawful and reasonable, in line with international law and practice, and does not imply that it is aimed at any country or specific target.
It is worth mentioning that the exact missile model and specific range of this launch test have not been officially announced.
It is only speculated that the missile type is likely to be one of the three intercontinental missiles of the Dongfeng-5 series, the Dongfeng-31 series and the Dongfeng-41 that have been displayed at military parades many times.
In fact, if you look closely, all three types of ICBMs have the function of carrying nuclear warheads and carrying out nuclear strike missions. However, in peacetime firing training and tests, only training simulated warheads will be carried.
As for the specific range, China's "Dongfeng-5" intercontinental ballistic missile more than 40 years ago flew more than 8,000 kilometers in the launch test of that year.
Today, for example, the maximum range of the "Dongfeng-31A" exceeds 11,000 kilometers, and the range of the "Dongfeng-31AG" developed by it is only higher.
In addition, military experts have made reasonable speculations that the range can be at least 12,000 kilometers. It can be launched from the Chinese mainland and hit the mainland of United States, or even the whole territory.
And with the continuous improvement of strike accuracy, the deterrence of China's intercontinental missiles will naturally reach new heights.
The "deterrent" of this launch
Perhaps for a long time, people have taken "the success of China's so-and-so experiment" as a commonplace. As everyone knows, the success of many things is unusual.
In the case of the successful launch of this ICBM, it is not as light as the official low-key announcement that can be completed.
At present, there are only a handful of countries in the world that have the capability of intercontinental missile strikes. Even in these countries, it is not easy to improve the strike capabilities of their own missiles.
For example, since last year, the P5 countries have conducted intercontinental missile launch experiments, and the results have not all been satisfactory.
Among them, France's M-51.3 submarine-launched ICBM launch experiment was successful, and United States' LGM-30 ICBM launch experiment was also successful, but United Kingdom's test launch of UGM-133A submarine-launched ICBM ended in failure.
In particular, the self-explosion of Russia's test launch of the "Sarmat" intercontinental ballistic missile has undoubtedly made Russia, which is mired in war, even more anxious.
Photos of the explosion of Russia's missile silos are still circulating on the Internet, nakedly mocking the former world's second military power.
It is also against this backdrop that it is indeed necessary for China to conduct an ICBM launch test in order to test the reliability of its long-range weapons and its nuclear strike capabilities.
It turns out that China's ICBM launch technology is as high and mature as any of the P5, and some even surpass it.
Combining the different results of the P5 in the same type of test, it also shows that even in the world's top five countries, only two-thirds are proficient in the most advanced weapons technology.
Therefore, the success of China's ICBM launch test is by no means easy, but China can already lift the weight in this regard.
Especially at a time when the international situation is treacherous, China's strategic deterrence and strategic determination are particularly important. What can provide these two forces is, of course, not casual slogans, but real military and economic strength.
The two complement each other, and economic strength is the backing for the improvement of military strength. In turn, military strength is also a guarantee of the survival of economic power. When the world is at peace, China accumulates economic strength to enrich itself. When the world is in turmoil, China flexes its military strength to defend itself.
Today, China is surpassing other countries in speed and ability, and continues to prove that it has improved its all-round strength.
It is believed that with the continuous success of breakthrough experiments, China will be able to play an increasingly important role in the world.
Resources:
China's test launch of an intercontinental missile notified "relevant countries" in advance, and the Pentagon responded: This is a good thing - Golden Sheep Network
Words are less, things are big, witness history! After 44 years, China has launched another intercontinental missile into the Pacific Ocean - the Straits Shinkansen
China's Ministry of Defense responds to the launch of an ICBM by the Rocket Force: completely legal and reasonable - China News Network
The ICBM photo was released, revealing 4 key information - The Paper
The Rocket Force successfully launched 1 ICBM into the waters of the Pacific Ocean - Cai Lian Press