China Confirms New Generation of ICBM

Taco Cowboy (5327) writes with news of the Chinese military's latest toy, an ICBM capable of delivering multiple warheads across the Pacific. From the article: The DF-41 is designed to have a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles), according to a report by Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, putting it among the world's longest-range missiles. ... It is "possibly capable of carrying multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles", the U.S. Defense Department said in a report in June, referring to a payload of several nuclear warheads. It also quoted a Chinese military analyst as saying: "As the U.S. continues to strengthen its missile defense system, developing third generation nuclear weapons capable of carrying multiple warheads is the trend." China's previous longest range missile was the DF-5A, which can carry a single warhead as far as 12,000 km, according to Jane's.

No worries

[MRe_nl]

All current missile defense shields are kind of useless.
China felt the need to achieve military parity.
Developing ICBM technology comes with Rocketry and is simply a prerequisite for Space Flight.

Re:Angry Proliferation Game

[cyberchondriac]

And yet in nearly 7 decades of MAD, no one has ever done so. What's the alternative, trust that others will actually do what they say and remove all nuclear capability? Every country would see that as a golden opportunity to keep some hidden by hook, nook, or crook, so that then they're the only ones in the world with nukes.. win!
Or more likely, every country would do that, so we're right back where we're started, albeit with lower numbers of warheads.

Re:No worries

[Dishevel]

Yes. All space programs need MiRVs. It has nothing to do with military power.

Re:Angry Proliferation Game

[jgtg32a]

Little to early to say but so far it looks like removing nuclear capability isn't really working out too well for Ukraine.

Re:Oh, hi there, threat of extinction

[phantomfive]

I don't think we are quite there yet... China still only has enough nukes to ward off any hawks.

Well, how many nukes does it take, exactly, to destroy a country? Realistically, all anyone has is enough nukes to ensure MAD....it's not like the US is able to bomb Russia without retribution. Estimates of China's stockpile vary, up to 3000 warheads [dailymail.co.uk]. China is secretive and everyone is just guessing what they actually have. Any number you see is just a guess.

In any case, it's pointless to talk about arms-reduction without being aware that one important country is aiming for arms-increase.

Re:No worries

[WindBourne]

Uh, no. MIRV, and solid rockets are very different from space flight, esp. when none of their 'civilian' rockets are solid based.
And trying to hide what you are up, combined with working to be able to take out spying and comm links at once, is NOT about achieving parity.

Re:Oh, hi there, threat of extinction

[Anonymous Coward]

You don't build nukes to invade; you build them to deter. Why do you think nobody has dropped a US carrier since WWII, even though they make such great targets?

China is flexing its muscles in what has traditionally been international waters near its coast. They also want to resolve that whole Taiwan situation in their favor. Both of these situations are kept in check by the bluff of US Naval power in the region. The ability to successfully strike the US mainland, strategically, provides one of several pieces necessary for China to call this bluff. Neither side would realistically come to blows, but a balance of power gives China a far better standing when tensions rise.... and they're going to rise.

Re:No worries

[Dishevel]

You believe that China is only in it for space? Good for you. Do not let history or current events get in the way of your fantasy.

Re:No worries

[Dishevel]

History says that when a powerful country can not feed its people and is growing faster than their natural resources will allow they will take what they need to continue their growth.