Gazi Abbas Shahid
Starting as a ground reporter back in his home UT of Jammu and Kashmir, Gazi has been a part of the news industry for well over a decade. While he finds every type of news engrossing, politics, partic ... Read More
China recently unveiled the DF-5C, its most advanced ultra-long range Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), which reportedly has a range of over 20,000 kilometers, making it capable of striking anywhere on the planet. The liquid-fueled ICBM, which was showcased at China’s Victory Day parade earlier this month, sent a direct message to China’s rivals, especially the United States, that Beijing now has capability to strike any target on the globe, according to experts.
Defense experts have dubbed the DF-5C as the world’s most destructive missile, owing to its unprecedented range and the capability to carry as many as ten nuclear or conventional warheads simultaneously. Liquid-fueled missiles are generally considered ‘inferior’ to the solid-fuel propelled counterparts like the US’ Minuteman III, as they take a lot of time refuel and cannot stored for a long period after refueling.
However, experts believe that China has overcome these shortcomings with the DF-5C as the missile is equipped with materials like silicone or composite rubber, indicating that it can be stored in a ready-to-launch state for a longer period.
“The rocket nozzles on the DF-5C are protected by a membrane-like material, indicating that it is an advanced variant of its predecessor DF-5B missile. This highlights a major upgrade in fuel storage technology, and enables China to launch the missile any time it needs to,” South China Morning Post (SCMP) quoted a Beijing-based defense expert as saying.
According to the expert, liquid-fueled missiles offer a major advantage in terms of a much heavier payload capacity and longer range compared to solid-fueled counterparts.
As per the SCMP report, China’s DF-5C ICBM has a range of over 20,000 kilometers, essentially making it capable of taking out any target anywhere on the Earth, including the United States. The missile is equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology, and can carry about ten nuclear or conventional MIRVs or warheads.
While Russia’s Sarmat ICBM and US’ Minuteman-III are considered technologically more advanced, the DF-5C’s extended range and larger payload capacity makes it a peer competitor to Russian and American ICBMs. While the missile cannot be stored for a longer period in a fueled state because of liquid fuel, its heavy payload, ultra-long range, and modern nozzle technology, gives China global nuclear strike capability, experts say.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest World News on India.com.