The East Wind is Coming: Deciphering the Strategic Game Behind China's Intercontinental Missile Test
Although the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has released the picture of the missile test, the European and American media have different views on its specific model, and this debate around the missile model reflects the subtle military game between major powers
"It's not Dongfeng 31AG, it's Dongfeng 41!" European and American media rushed to report, United Kingdom "Financial Times" and United States "Washington Times" and other mainstream media have issued articles saying that the test launch is not the Dongfeng 31AG, but the more advanced Dongfeng 41 intercontinental missile, they believe that the test launch shows ultra-long-range strike, maneuvering orbit change and guidance and other technologies, are the hallmark characteristics of the third generation of intercontinental missiles
These media judgments are not groundless, Dongfeng 31AG as an upgraded version of the second-generation missile, although the performance is good, but it is indeed difficult to reach the height of Dongfeng 41, just like the "little brother" compared to the "big brother", although there is also a little ability, but it is always so bad
The Dongfeng 41 has attracted much attention since its debut, and can be called the "star of the missile industry", as China's first land-based mobile intercontinental missile that can fully cover the mainland of United States, it combines a number of "trump card" technologies:
It can reach up to 14,000 kilometers and can fight almost all over the world, which means that it can easily break through the blockade of the "first island chain" and the "second island chain" and go straight to the enemy's "heart" zone
With a launch weight of more than 60 tons and can carry 6 TNT nuclear warheads with a yield of 300,000 tons, or 10 lighter models, this is like a heavy truck that can not only pull, but also pull more
Thanks to China's complex terrain and well-developed road network, it can maneuver through rugged mountain roads and tunnels, like a master of "hide and seek", making it difficult for enemy satellites to lock on
Dongfeng-41 has the ability to break through the anti-missile system, at present, the global anti-missile technology is still in the stage of theoretical verification, and no one dares to package a ticket to intercept 100 percent, which is like playing a high-risk gambling game, winning or losing only a moment
Dongfeng 31AG should not be underestimated, but it is indeed slightly inferior, it is like Dongfeng 41 "mini version", although all the organs are complete, but the capabilities are slightly insufficient, for example, Dongfeng 41 can carry 10 sub-warheads, and Dongfeng 31AG can only carry 6 at most, if you count the decoy warheads, the actual strike capability may only be about half of the Dongfeng 41
European and United States are so concerned about Dongfeng 41, behind which reflects their deep worries, today's world, the more industrialized countries, but the easier it is to become "vulnerable giants", imagine that if an important factory is destroyed, it will take a long time to resume production, which requires not only the reconstruction of the plant, but also the reorganization of personnel, equipment and raw materials, during which the entire industrial chain may be paralyzed
Take Russia as an example, when NATO and Ukraine announced hundreds of submarine targets in Russia, the Kremlin immediately became nervous, for a simple reason: once these targets are attacked, Russia's industrial strength will be hit hard, and it will be difficult to recover in the short term, which is like a precision clock, once a gear breaks, the whole system will stop
China's industrial layout is more fragmented and more resistant to blows, which is like a dense spider web, even if it breaks somewhere, the overall structure can still be maintained
The emergence of Dongfeng 41 undoubtedly brings new variables to the global strategic pattern, it is not only a weapon, but also a deterrent, just like the "queen" in chess, although it may never really be moved, but it is enough to affect the opponent's every move
We must also be soberly aware that peaceful development is the common pursuit of mankind, and the research and development of advanced weapons is essentially to safeguard national security, not to provoke confrontation.
In the face of the complicated international situation, we need to look at the development of military science and technology with a more rational and open attitude, which is not only a manifestation of national strength, but also an important guarantee for maintaining world peace
As one military expert put it: "A strong national defense is not only about winning wars, but also about avoiding wars," and in a world full of uncertainties, only by maintaining sufficient strategic deterrence can we truly win respect and equal opportunities for dialogue
The existence of the Dongfeng 41 may make some countries uneasy, but from another perspective, it may also prompt all parties to consider the consequences of the use of force more carefully, thereby promoting the establishment of a fairer and more reasonable international order
The arms race is by no means a long-term solution, and all countries should actively seek dialogue and cooperation while ensuring their own security, so that the vision of lasting peace and common development can be truly realized
In the face of the rapidly changing international situation, we need to keep a clear head, neither blindly arrogant, nor arrogant, and arrogant, a strong national defense capability is important, but more importantly, it is important to use wisdom and foresight to safeguard national interests in the complex international game
The discussion sparked by the Dongfeng-41 test reflects the subtle changes in the balance of power in the world today, and it reminds us that while pursuing peace, we must also have sufficient strength to defend it
Let us hope that in the future on the international stage, all countries will be able to seek common ground while reserving differences, turn hostility into peace, and jointly build a safer and more prosperous world