https://www.scmp.com/rss/519819/feed Latest news and updates on the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, including the development and testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic weapons. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Amber Wang Amber Wang Major General Feng Yufang, a leading missile scientist with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, died on Monday at the age of 63, according to state media and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). The official CAE website confirmed that Feng, one of its academicians, died on April 13. Although it did not give a cause of death, an article by state media outlet China Daily on Tuesday stated that he died of illness. With a career spanning nearly 40 years in military equipment... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350064/chinese-rocket-force-scientist-major-general-feng-yufang-dies-aged-63?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350064/chinese-rocket-force-scientist-major-general-feng-yufang-dies-aged-63?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:10 +0000 Haining Gao Haining Gao – https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china/military/article/3342176/power-and-politics-chinas-military?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china/military/article/3342176/power-and-politics-chinas-military?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:10:31 +0000 Zhang Tong Zhang Tong Researchers in China have developed a fully modular, intelligent electric-drive heavy-duty vehicle that could be used as a mobile launcher for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The researchers said the vehicle could “crab walk” through tight or obstructed terrain that would defeat conventional launchers and its near-silent operation improved its stealth abilities. A prototype was unveiled in Beijing on December 21, less than two years after the project was approved in January 2024 as... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337995/nuclear-game-changer-china-builds-crab-walking-electric-icbm-mobile-launcher-prototype?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337995/nuclear-game-changer-china-builds-crab-walking-electric-icbm-mobile-launcher-prototype?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:00:08 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi The end of this month’s military parade in Beijing – a time slot traditionally reserved for the People’s Liberation Army’s most lethal nuclear weapon – was marked by a formation of DF-5C missiles, the latest variant of China’s first-ever long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) DF-5 series. The PLA’s other latest ICBM systems include the DF-61 and DF-31BJ, as well as the DF-41 – known to be China’s latest ICBM version in service. The DF-61 and DF-31BJ were also first unveiled in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3327013/chinas-df-5c-nuclear-icbm-east-wind-counterforce-weapon-global-strike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3327013/chinas-df-5c-nuclear-icbm-east-wind-counterforce-weapon-global-strike?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 14:00:11 +0000 Zhang Tong Zhang Tong The showstopper of China’s military parade in Beijing last week was a liquid-fuel intercontinental strategic nuclear missile known as the DF-5C. As the new system was unveiled on three heavy-lift transport vehicles, the official commentary emphasised that it was “always on alert and capable of striking anywhere in the world”. Liquid-fuel rockets have a long range but they take time to fuel and cannot be stored for long periods after fuelling – unlike solid-fuel missiles such as America’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3325301/how-chinas-df-5c-nuclear-icbm-can-reach-anywhere-any-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3325301/how-chinas-df-5c-nuclear-icbm-can-reach-anywhere-any-time?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:00:10 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force has terminated nearly 200 partnerships with experts and suppliers, following an investigation into procurement corruption covering the past nine years, as scrutiny of the troubled military branch continues. The official China Government Procurement News reported on Tuesday that between August 28 and September 1, the rocket force made announcements on the military procurement network, banning 74 bid evaluation experts and 116 suppliers. Some suppliers and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325144/pla-rocket-force-bans-nearly-200-suppliers-evaluators-after-corruption-investigation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3325144/pla-rocket-force-bans-nearly-200-suppliers-evaluators-after-corruption-investigation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 05:37:25 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to a PLA Rocket Force unit last Thursday highlights the key role the force might play in trying to deter the US from getting involved in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, military analysts said. Last week, Xi inspected a People’s Liberation Army brigade stationed in the southeastern province of Anhui, according to state news agency Xinhua. It was the first reported visit to a Rocket Force unit since 2016 and footage of the visit showed a number of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3283426/xi-jinping-visit-highlights-pla-rocket-forces-key-role-taiwan-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3283426/xi-jinping-visit-highlights-pla-rocket-forces-key-role-taiwan-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Oct 2024 22:00:13 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping put the national spotlight back on the military’s missile defences, inspecting a PLA Rocket Force brigade in the country’s southeast roughly a month after a landmark ICBM test. During the visit to a strategic missile brigade in Anhui province on Thursday, Xi underlined the need for stronger missile deterrence as well as tighter discipline, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday. He told the brigade to “adapt to the changes in modern warfare and combat methods... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3283062/chinas-xi-jinping-targets-deterrence-and-discipline-pla-rocket-force-inspection?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3283062/chinas-xi-jinping-targets-deterrence-and-discipline-pla-rocket-force-inspection?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Oct 2024 11:37:27 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi Almost a decade has passed since the People’s Liberation Army pulled the trigger on President Xi Jinping’s plans for a massive overhaul of the world’s biggest military. In the first of a series on Chinese weapons systems, we look at the sharp end of the country’s missile programme. When China conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test outside its airspace for the first time in 44 years last month, international attention zeroed in on advances in the country’s rocketry... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3282335/what-df-41-and-how-does-it-fit-chinas-icbm-programme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3282335/what-df-41-and-how-does-it-fit-chinas-icbm-programme?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Oct 2024 03:59:40 +0000 A prominent Chinese missile scientist was expelled from China’s top advisory body on Friday amid an anti-corruption campaign that has taken a heavy toll on the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. Xiao Longxu, the former chief engineer of the rocket force’s top research institute and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was removed as a representative of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), state news agency Xinhua announced on Friday. The report did not... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3282122/pla-rocket-force-scientist-stripped-political-advisory-post-amid-chinas-corruption-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3282122/pla-rocket-force-scientist-stripped-political-advisory-post-amid-chinas-corruption-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:00:09 +0000 China’s intercontinental ballistic missile test on Wednesday has put the rocket used under the spotlight. Beijing has not said what type of rocket was used but, based on photos released a day after the test, military analysts have concluded that it was a variant of the Dong Feng-31. The DF-31 (whose name means East Wind-31) is one of three types of ICMBs in the People’s Liberation Army’s arsenal – the others being the DF-5, which first entered service in the early 1970s, and the more modern... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3280264/what-do-we-know-about-df-31-variant-used-chinas-recent-icbm-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3280264/what-do-we-know-about-df-31-variant-used-chinas-recent-icbm-test?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:00:09 +0000 China’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test shows its missile capabilities and the combat readiness of its rocket force despite a recent corruption scandal, according to analysts. On Wednesday, China’s defence ministry said the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force conducted a missile test with an ICBM carrying a dummy warhead, which flew over the Pacific Ocean – the first reported launch by Beijing in 44 years. Beijing has not disclosed the trajectory and target of the missile, but... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3280097/chinas-icbm-test-sign-pla-rocket-force-stands-ready-despite-corruption-scandals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3280097/chinas-icbm-test-sign-pla-rocket-force-stands-ready-despite-corruption-scandals?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:00:12 +0000 The United States and France have said they were given advance notification of China’s intercontinental ballistic missile test this week while other countries, including Japan, Australia and New Zealand, have asked for an explanation from China. The US said the warning had helped to “avoid miscalculation” and was “step in the right direction”, but it wanted a more regular arrangement to give advance notice of future missile and space launches. The People’s Liberation Army launch was China’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3280089/us-calls-regular-missile-launch-notification-process-after-chinas-icbm-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3280089/us-calls-regular-missile-launch-notification-process-after-chinas-icbm-test?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:07:41 +0000 China’s People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force launched a test intercontinental ballistic missile packing a simulated warhead on Wednesday, its first such public launch since 1980. The defence ministry said it had notified relevant countries of its plans for the “routine” test, which it noted was “in line with international law and international practice and not directed against any country or target”. It didn’t disclose the missile’s trajectory or landing point but did say it fell into the area... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3280045/chinas-first-test-icbm-launch-44-years-stirs-questions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3280045/chinas-first-test-icbm-launch-44-years-stirs-questions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:00:49 +0000 The People’s Liberation Army launched its first known intercontinental ballistic missile test in 44 years on Wednesday morning, sending an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean, according to the Chinese defence ministry. China’s latest known ICBM is the DF-41, which first came into service in 2017 and has an operational range of up to 12,000-15,000km (7,460-9,320 miles), capable of reaching the US mainland. An ICBM typically has a range greater than 5,500km (3,420 miles) and is designed to carry nuclear... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3279842/china-launches-icbm-simulated-warhead-pacific-ocean-defence-ministry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3279842/china-launches-icbm-simulated-warhead-pacific-ocean-defence-ministry?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Sep 2024 02:48:15 +0000 The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force – which oversees China’s arsenal of nuclear and ballistic missiles – has accused three universities of bid-rigging and banned them from its procurement process for three years. The PLA branch has been at the centre of an anti-corruption campaign targeting the military, with a number of senior officials under investigation since last year. In three separate statements on the military procurement website, the rocket force said Xian Jiaotong University and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3275645/pla-rocket-force-bans-3-universities-procurement-activities-over-bid-rigging?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3275645/pla-rocket-force-bans-3-universities-procurement-activities-over-bid-rigging?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:00:10 +0000 China’s Communist Party has announced an anti-corruption investigation into yet another senior general who oversaw its nuclear arsenal, adding to a slew of military leaders disgraced over the past year. Sun Jinming, chief of staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, was expelled from the party, according to a communique released on Thursday, the final day of the party’s third plenum. The corruption probe into Lieutenant General Sun, which had already been concluded, was endorsed... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3270993/chinas-communist-party-targets-another-pla-general-corruption-investigation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3270993/chinas-communist-party-targets-another-pla-general-corruption-investigation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:38:13 +0000 A prominent Chinese rocket scientist will be expelled from China’s top advisory body after a meeting on Monday, a development that comes amid Beijing’s investigation into leaders of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force on suspicion of corruption. Wang Xiaojun, who led the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, will be removed as a representative on the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), state broadcaster CCTV said without detailing why Wang was being... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3250256/china-expel-prominent-rocket-scientist-top-body-corruption-probe-keeps-sights-defence-aerospace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3250256/china-expel-prominent-rocket-scientist-top-body-corruption-probe-keeps-sights-defence-aerospace?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:32:43 +0000 Beijing has appointed a new leadership for the force responsible for its nuclear arsenal after its former commanders were snared in an anti-corruption campaign. Wang Houbin, the navy’s former deputy commander, will become the new head of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, while Xu Xisheng will move from Southern Theatre Command to become its new political commissar, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Their appointments were announced as both Wang and Xu were promoted from the rank of... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3229515/china-unveils-new-pla-rocket-force-leadership-after-former-commanders-snared-corruption-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3229515/china-unveils-new-pla-rocket-force-leadership-after-former-commanders-snared-corruption-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Jul 2023 10:47:30 +0000 A new anti-corruption drive in China has led to the downfall of several past and present senior commanders in the People’s Liberation Army’s Rocket Force, a key element of the country’s nuclear arsenal, according to sources familiar with the situation. Two sources told the South China Morning Post that the Central Military Commission (CMC)’s anti-graft body, the Commission for Discipline Inspection, along with its audit office have been investigating the force’s current commander Li Yuchao, as... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3229150/chinese-anti-corruption-investigators-target-top-rocket-force-generals-sources-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3229150/chinese-anti-corruption-investigators-target-top-rocket-force-generals-sources-say?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Jul 2023 04:00:20 +0000 State media disclosure of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force joining the Shandong carrier group for drills near the US naval base of Guam is a show of force by the Chinese military, according to analysts. This came as Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the Shandong flotilla had wrapped up a nearly 30-day exercise in the western Pacific region that included unprecedented systematic joint operations with the rocket force and other fighting wings. The exercise, which took... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3219989/china-says-pla-rocket-force-joined-shandong-carrier-group-drills-near-us-base-western-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3219989/china-says-pla-rocket-force-joined-shandong-carrier-group-drills-near-us-base-western-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 May 2023 02:00:23 +0000 China’s military mouthpiece has highlighted what it calls the key role of the PLA’s Rocket Force in safeguarding national security, days after it fired missiles over Taiwan in unprecedented drills. In an opinion piece splashed across its front page on Monday, PLA Daily described it as the “core force” in strategic deterrence as well as the “strategic support” for China’s status as a major power. It said the rocket force had a combat system with diverse strike and strong anti-interference... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3188187/pla-mouthpiece-hails-rocket-force-after-it-fired-missiles-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3188187/pla-mouthpiece-hails-rocket-force-after-it-fired-missiles-over?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Aug 2022 11:43:40 +0000 China’s military has put the precision strike capability of its new rocket launch system to the test at high altitude, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The People’s Liberation Army used the PCL191 multiple launch rocket system – which is mounted on a truck – to hit a target several kilometres away at a desert shooting range in the west of China during a recent test, Sunday’s report said. It was reported on state television as the PLA and Indian Army began a 16th round of talks to resolve a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3185730/chinas-military-puts-advanced-rocket-launch-system-test-high?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3185730/chinas-military-puts-advanced-rocket-launch-system-test-high?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Jul 2022 03:00:54 +0000