China test-fires missile that can reach all of US, American media reports
The Washington Free Beacon website, quoting unnamed Pentagon officials, says a DF-41 – with a range of 12,000km – was launched on April 12, just ahead of US defence chief Ash Carter’s regional visit
China test-fired one of its newest intercontinental ballistic missiles last week amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington over the South China Sea, US media reported on Wednesday.
News website Washington Free Beacon, quoting unnamed Pentagon officials, reported that a DF-41 – which has a range of at least 12,000km – was launched on April 12. The website has a proven track record in breaking news about operations of the People’s Liberation Army.
News of the launch comes amid a visit to disputed islands in the South China Sea by General Fan Changlong, who is the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission. The visit was announced by the defence ministry on Friday.
No exact date for the inspection was given but the news came as US Defence Secretary Ash Carter visited the USS Stennis, which was deployed in the South China Sea.
According to the Beacon’s report, the missile had two multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, each of which is capable of carrying several warheads. Its range allows the PLA to strike anywhere inside the United States.
The missile was monitored in flight by US military satellites and other regional sensors, a Pentagon official was quoted as saying.