*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) TAIPEI, Taiwan - September 3, 2009: Amid global concern over China's massive defence modernisation, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will unveil five new generation of missiles, including intercontinental ballistic nuclear missiles and other weapon systems to mark the 60th National Day parade here on October 1.++DTN+News+Sep+3+2009.jpg)
The three-stage solid-fuel DF-41 is larger than the DF-31 missile, and has a range of up to 12,000 kilometers. While no information has been published concerning the configuration of this missile, the most straightforward path towards its development would be the addition of an enlarged third stage to the DF-31 ICBM. The larger third stage and longer range of the DF-41 is made possible by the fact that, unlike the DF-31, the size of the DF-41 is not constrained by the requirement that it be fitted into a submarine launch tube. The DF-41 strategic weapons system will have a mobile launch capability providing greatly improved survivability compared with previous Chinese intercontinental missiles. It is anticipated that the DF-41 will be delivered to the 2d Artillery around the year 2010.
As of March 2001 the US Defense Intelligence Agency reported that China had several new strategic missile systems are under development, including two new road-mobile solid-propellant ICBMs. The 8,000 km DF-31 was successfully flight- tested in 1999 and 2000, and tests of the other longer-range mobile ICBM were anticipated within next several years.
In the absence of flight testing, the final operational configuration of this solid fueled missile remains uncertain, particularly with respect to the length of the third stage. However, this derivative of the DF-31 would be unlikely to have a throwweight in excess of 1000 kgs, and most estimates are in the range of 800 kg. Some estimates anticipate that, as with previous Chinese ICBMs, the DF-41 will carry only a single warhead [with a 0.35 - 1.0 MT yield]. In any event, depending on the weapon's yield, it seems unlikely that China would be able to mount more than a few lower-yield [50-100 KT ?] RVs on this ICBM. The American Minuteman III has 3 RVs and a throwweight of 1100 kgs at 12,900 kms, while the MX Peacekeeper carries 10 RVs and has a throwweight of 3950 kgs at 11,000 kms. Both American missiles carry warheads with yields of a few hundred kilotons.
The 2.3 million-strong PLA will showcase five new types of domestically designed missiles at the National Day parade, state-run 'Global Times' reported today, quoting a leading missile expert from the Second Artillery Force, China's strategic nuclear force, as saying.
A number of advanced weapons of air and sea forces will also be on display at the military parade, to be held for the first time since the National Day in 1999, it said.
Five types of missiles, including nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles, conventional cruise missiles and medium-range and short-range conventional missiles, will be displayed for the first time at the highly anticipated military parade, it quoted the expert as saying.
"These missiles are domestically designed and manufactured and have never been officially reported before," he said, adding that they belong to a second generation of missiles that have already been distributed to the military and are ready for operation.
"The third generation is still under development and is unlikely to be displayed this time," he said.
The parades, held once in a decade, typically showcase new-generation weapons systems developed by the PLA. They are closely scrutinised by foreign military experts for clues about Chinese military development trends.
Military experts have been expecting to see the Dongfeng 41, known as the DF-41, and the CSS-X-10, which is said to be a third-generation, solid-fuel, intercontinental ballistic missile.
While China is a late starter in the missile development, compared with the US and Russia – countries equipped with fifth-generation missiles and in the process of developing sixth-generation missiles – it has made rapid progress, the expert said.
In this photo taken Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, People's Liberation Army Air force female fighter pilots, wearing newly equipped helmets and flight suits specially designed for female pilots, walk at a PLA air base in Tangshan, in China's Hebei province. Some of the PLA Air force's female fighter jet pilots will participate in the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1. Beijing has said it plans to show off much of its latest-generation weaponry and reports say the military aspect of the parade will feature entirely homegrown weaponry, highlighting China's rising capabilities in designing and manufacturing military hardware.
"Our second generation can match their third and fourth generations, and the third generation under development is comparable to their fifth and sixth generations," he said.
Progress made by the Second Artillery Force in the decade since 1999 will be highlighted at the October 1 event, with marching soldiers and vehicles carrying missiles, three for every type, the paper, a sister publication of the ruling Communist Party of China, said.
The Second Artillery Force is a strategic unit under the direct command and control of the Central Military Commission, China's top military organ.
A new submarine-launched ballistic missile, Julang 2, also known as JL-2 and CSS-NX-4, is also highly anticipated to make an appearance at the parade.
Li Daguang, a senior military expert at the PLA University of National Defence, emphasised that the military parade is not for saber rattling but aims to promote national pride, confidence and awareness of national defence.
"Some countries, observing China's parade with coloured glasses, show off their weapons around the world on the battlefield instead," Li said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao will address the huge celebration at Tian'anmen Square on October 1, followed by the military parade and a mass pageant involving 200,000 people, 60 floats and a fireworks display.
China's massive defence modernisation and its double digit defence spending have caused global concern.
The three-stage solid-fuel DF-41 is larger than the DF-31 missile, and has a range of up to 12,000 kilometers. While no information has been published concerning the configuration of this missile, the most straightforward path towards its development would be the addition of an enlarged third stage to the DF-31 ICBM. The larger third stage and longer range of the DF-41 is made possible by the fact that, unlike the DF-31, the size of the DF-41 is not constrained by the requirement that it be fitted into a submarine launch tube. The DF-41 strategic weapons system will have a mobile launch capability providing greatly improved survivability compared with previous Chinese intercontinental missiles. It is anticipated that the DF-41 will be delivered to the 2d Artillery around the year 2010.
As of March 2001 the US Defense Intelligence Agency reported that China had several new strategic missile systems are under development, including two new road-mobile solid-propellant ICBMs. The 8,000 km DF-31 was successfully flight- tested in 1999 and 2000, and tests of the other longer-range mobile ICBM were anticipated within next several years.
In the absence of flight testing, the final operational configuration of this solid fueled missile remains uncertain, particularly with respect to the length of the third stage. However, this derivative of the DF-31 would be unlikely to have a throwweight in excess of 1000 kgs, and most estimates are in the range of 800 kg. Some estimates anticipate that, as with previous Chinese ICBMs, the DF-41 will carry only a single warhead [with a 0.35 - 1.0 MT yield]. In any event, depending on the weapon's yield, it seems unlikely that China would be able to mount more than a few lower-yield [50-100 KT ?] RVs on this ICBM. The American Minuteman III has 3 RVs and a throwweight of 1100 kgs at 12,900 kms, while the MX Peacekeeper carries 10 RVs and has a throwweight of 3950 kgs at 11,000 kms. Both American missiles carry warheads with yields of a few hundred kilotons.
The 2.3 million-strong PLA will showcase five new types of domestically designed missiles at the National Day parade, state-run 'Global Times' reported today, quoting a leading missile expert from the Second Artillery Force, China's strategic nuclear force, as saying.
A number of advanced weapons of air and sea forces will also be on display at the military parade, to be held for the first time since the National Day in 1999, it said.
Five types of missiles, including nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles, conventional cruise missiles and medium-range and short-range conventional missiles, will be displayed for the first time at the highly anticipated military parade, it quoted the expert as saying.
"These missiles are domestically designed and manufactured and have never been officially reported before," he said, adding that they belong to a second generation of missiles that have already been distributed to the military and are ready for operation.
"The third generation is still under development and is unlikely to be displayed this time," he said.
The parades, held once in a decade, typically showcase new-generation weapons systems developed by the PLA. They are closely scrutinised by foreign military experts for clues about Chinese military development trends.
Military experts have been expecting to see the Dongfeng 41, known as the DF-41, and the CSS-X-10, which is said to be a third-generation, solid-fuel, intercontinental ballistic missile.
While China is a late starter in the missile development, compared with the US and Russia – countries equipped with fifth-generation missiles and in the process of developing sixth-generation missiles – it has made rapid progress, the expert said.In this photo taken Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, People's Liberation Army Air force female fighter pilots, wearing newly equipped helmets and flight suits specially designed for female pilots, walk at a PLA air base in Tangshan, in China's Hebei province. Some of the PLA Air force's female fighter jet pilots will participate in the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1. Beijing has said it plans to show off much of its latest-generation weaponry and reports say the military aspect of the parade will feature entirely homegrown weaponry, highlighting China's rising capabilities in designing and manufacturing military hardware.
"Our second generation can match their third and fourth generations, and the third generation under development is comparable to their fifth and sixth generations," he said.
Progress made by the Second Artillery Force in the decade since 1999 will be highlighted at the October 1 event, with marching soldiers and vehicles carrying missiles, three for every type, the paper, a sister publication of the ruling Communist Party of China, said.
The Second Artillery Force is a strategic unit under the direct command and control of the Central Military Commission, China's top military organ.
A new submarine-launched ballistic missile, Julang 2, also known as JL-2 and CSS-NX-4, is also highly anticipated to make an appearance at the parade.
Li Daguang, a senior military expert at the PLA University of National Defence, emphasised that the military parade is not for saber rattling but aims to promote national pride, confidence and awareness of national defence.
"Some countries, observing China's parade with coloured glasses, show off their weapons around the world on the battlefield instead," Li said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao will address the huge celebration at Tian'anmen Square on October 1, followed by the military parade and a mass pageant involving 200,000 people, 60 floats and a fireworks display.
China's massive defence modernisation and its double digit defence spending have caused global concern.
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