PLA reveals nuclear deterrence system

On Wednesday, China displayed for the first time its nuclear triad, a reliable nuclear deterrence system with land-, sea- and air-based nuclear retaliation capabilities.

Upholding a long-standing practice that has been observed in previous parades, the People's Liberation Army unveiled its new strike missiles near the end of a head-turning parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Eight types of ballistic missiles paraded down Chang'an Avenue during the magnificent ceremony in central Beijing: the YJ-21 air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile, the DF-17 medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile, the DF-26D intermediate-range ballistic missile, the JL-1 air-launched long-range ballistic missile, the JL-3 submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile, and the DF-31BJ, DF-61 and DF-5C intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Each missile designation carries a specific meaning in Chinese: YJ stands for yingji, or "Eagle Strike"; DF is the commonly abbreviated name for dongfeng, or "East Wind"; JL in the submarine-based missile's name is short for julang, or "Massive Wave"; and the air-launched JL stands for jinglei, or "Shocking Thunderclap".

Among them, the JL-1, JL-3, DF-26D, DF-31BJ, DF-61 and DF-5C had been classified before the event.

The parade marked the first time the Chinese military publicly revealed its air-based nuclear strike platform. In the past, there was a conspicuous loophole in China's nuclear arsenal as the PLA Air Force did not own a usable air-based projection asset for nuclear warheads.

According to the military, the appearance of the JL-1, JL-3, DF-31BJ and DF-61 "is the first collective show of our land-, sea- and air-based strategic nuclear prowess". They are strategic "trump cards" that can safeguard the national sovereignty and dignity, it stated.

The PLA said the DF-5C is the newest member in the DF-5 family, which is China's first ballistic missile series with intercontinental ranges, and can strike every corner on Earth.

The large-scale debut of new strategic weapons has represented the huge progress China has made in science and technology, especially in the field of defense technology, said Yang Chengjun, a retired missile technology and nuclear strategy expert formerly with the PLA Rocket Force.

"Their appearance (at the parade) was very meaningful because China now faces a slew of big, realistic threats, ranging from foreign forces' intervention in the Taiwan question to their intimidation and provocations in the South China Sea and other hegemonic acts surrounding us, and we do need sufficient and reliable means to respond to those threats. These advanced weapons should act as a reminder to the world that with their strength, China is able to handle whatever challenges our adversaries will pose in front of us," the veteran researcher said.

Speaking about the DF-5C missile, he said that as China's first weapon on active duty that has global range, the new type has the most powerful propulsion system and the longest flight range among all Chinese ballistic missiles.

"Like other intercontinental missile models in our nuclear arsenal, the new type is capable of carrying multiple warheads, and some of them can be dummies, which will effectively confuse the enemy's missile defense system and neutralize their interception efforts," Yang stated.

According to Hu Bo, director of Peking University's Center for Maritime Strategy Studies, the JL-3 is the PLA Navy's newest type of submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile and boasts a hit accuracy as good as that of the world's best sea-based strategic missiles.

The new ordnance is at the core of the Navy's efforts to catch up with global sea powers in the nuclear deterrence arena and reinforce its nuclear second-strike capabilities, he noted.

A naval warfare researcher who wished to be identified only as Cui said that the JL-3 can be launched from anywhere its carriers — China's nuclear-powered submarines — can travel, and it has a much longer hit range than its predecessors.

It is difficult to detect and track, and can be used on short notice, he said, noting that it is tasked with realizing the country's sea-based nuclear deterrence and counterstrike goals.

"The core essence of a sea-based nuclear weapon is that it can substantially increase the 'stability and persuasiveness' of our strategic deterrence power," Cui said.

Besides the strategic missiles, the CJ-1000 vehicle-mounted supersonic cruise missile, the YJ-18C ship-launched cruise missile and the YJ-21 air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile were unveiled during the parade, testifying to the PLA's improved capability to stage long-range precision assaults from various dimensions.

Four previously unseen types of hypersonic anti-ship missiles — YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20 — also turned up at the spectacular military show. They can be used by Navy fighter jets, combat vessels and submarines to carry out long-distance, ultrafast precision strikes against hostile ships and land targets, according to the PLA.

Cui said the four YJ-series missiles will be able to form a network that will enable them to work together to carry out ultrafast strikes.

"With all of these missile options, the Navy is able to make any combination to maximize the effect of their strikes. They give the Navy the most powerful portfolio of assault options that no others have ever owned," he noted.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn