China Unveils Hypersonic Missile in Latest Video
China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, recently unveiled the DF-17, a cutting-edge hypersonic missile system, in a video that showcased one of Beijing’s most sophisticated weapons. This rare footage exhibited a close-up view of the DF-17 with its wedge-shaped hypersonic glide vehicle perched on top before being launched vertically from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) located in the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert.
Hypersonic missiles, defined as weapons capable of reaching speeds at least five times the speed of sound, are known for their maneuverable glide vehicles that make them challenging to track and intercept compared to traditional ballistic missiles. China has positioned itself as a leader in hypersonic weapons development, viewed as an essential component of its strategy to dissuade foreign interference in a potential regional conflict, particularly concerning Taiwan.
The DF-17, a medium-range hypersonic weapon, was the first of its kind to be integrated into China’s military arsenal and was first showcased during the National Day military parade on October 1, 2019. The release of this new footage comes ahead of the July 1 celebration marking 60 years since the establishment of the precursor to the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force.
Experts estimate that the DF-17 has a range spanning from approximately 1,100 to 1,550 miles, enabling targets in regions like the South China Sea and U.S. military bases in Japan to be within reach. Its mobile design further enhances its stealth, making it more challenging to detect and neutralize than fixed systems, ultimately boosting its operational longevity in times of conflict.
The video also briefly showcased an upgraded iteration of another weapon in China’s Dong Feng missile family, potentially an enhanced model of the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile, known colloquially as the “Guam Killer” due to its extensive range of 1,860 to 3,410 miles.
The Pentagon’s annual report on Chinese military power noted China’s development of a world-class hypersonic missile arsenal and its continuous progress in advancing both conventional and nuclear-armed hypersonic missile technologies. The report highlighted the expansion and modernization efforts within the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, underscoring the growing significance of hypersonic systems in China’s deterrence strategy.
While China leads the charge in hypersonic weapons technology, Russia and North Korea have also announced their possession of hypersonic capabilities. Meanwhile, the United States is actively engaged in its own programs to develop hypersonic weaponry to keep pace with global advancements in this field.