China makes ‘big progress’ on nuclear strike range with new submarine-launched missile
- Navy carried out a flight test in the Yellow Sea late last month, though its range of 9,000km is still far behind that of the American and Russian submarine-launched ballistic missiles
- Analysts say China wants to show its deterrent capability, not enter into an arms race
China has carried out a flight test of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile in the Yellow Sea, as the navy seeks to develop its nuclear deterrent and counter-attack capabilities.
The Chinese navy tested the JL-3 missile in the Bohai Bay late last month, a source familiar with the matter told the South China Morning Post.
The new missile has a flight range of about 9,000km (5,600 miles), which is less than the 12,000km (7,500-mile) range of the American Trident II and Russian Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
But the source said the successful flight test still represented a significant advance for the PLA since its predecessor, the JL-2, had a flight range of only 7,000km (4,350 miles).
“It’s still big progress, although it’s still far less powerful than the Trident or the Russian Bulava … their flight range means they can reach any targets in the world,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The JL SLBMs have a shorter range because the Chinese military has so far failed to make any significant technology breakthroughs in developing nuclear-powered submarines,” the source added.