Chinese state media has publicly revealed key specifications of one of the country’s earliest intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the DF-5, sparking speculation among analysts that the disclosure may hint at even more advanced nuclear capabilities behind the scenes.
China Central Television (CCTV), the state broadcaster, on Monday released technical details of the DF-5 missile, marking an unusual break from the country’s traditionally opaque nuclear policy. Describing the DF-5 as China’s “first-generation strategic ICBM,” the broadcast stated the missile can deliver a single nuclear warhead with an explosive yield of 3 to 4 megatons of TNT.
According to the report, the missile has a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,460 miles), placing the continental United States and much of Europe within its reach. It is accurate to within 500 meters (1,600 feet), a level of precision considered highly significant in modern nuclear doctrine.
The missile measures 32.6 meters in length, has a diameter of 3.35 meters, and a launch weight of 183 tonnes. The warhead’s explosive power is estimated to be around 200 times greater than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
Song Zhongping, a former instructor with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said the DF-5 played a pivotal role in establishing China’s status as a credible nuclear power. “Without the DF-5, China wouldn’t be regarded as a nation with credible intercontinental strike capability. It was instrumental in China’s emergence as a nuclear power,” Song said.
The timing and motivations behind the disclosure remain unclear. Analysts suggest it may be part of a broader effort to demonstrate deterrence while signaling the retirement of older systems in favor of more advanced technologies.
“What we’re seeing is the phasing out of older systems – ones that have already served their purpose,” Song added. “The message is clear: China has far more powerful capabilities it has not shown the world.”
The DF-5, first deployed in the early 1980s, has since been upgraded. Newer variants are believed to be capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), enhancing their strategic impact. China has also introduced newer mobile ICBMs, such as the DF-31 and DF-41, which offer greater flexibility and survivability in conflict scenarios.
Despite its growing arsenal, Beijing maintains a “no first use” nuclear policy and has pledged not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. China first tested a nuclear bomb in 1964, and 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of that milestone.
According to a 2024 Pentagon report, China currently possesses over 600 operational nuclear warheads, a figure expected to exceed 1,000 by 2030. The report also noted the existence of at least 320 missile silos across three major sites, underscoring a rapid expansion of the country’s nuclear infrastructure.
Last year, China conducted its first publicly acknowledged ICBM test in more than four decades, involving a dummy warhead launched into the Pacific—believed to be a modernized DF-31 variant.
While the public unveiling of the DF-5’s capabilities marks a significant moment in Chinese military transparency, experts warn that it may be just the tip of the iceberg. As one analyst put it: “If this is what China is willing to show, imagine what it’s keeping hidden.”
