Official statements from the U.S. Department of State or equivalent government sources

China Successfully Launches DF-41 ICBM with Dummy Warhead into Pacific Ocean in Routine Test

Sep 25, 2024, 05:11 AM

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 2024. The missile was launched at 8:44 am from Hainan Island and accurately landed in a designated area of the high seas. This test, described as routine and part of the PLA Rocket Force's annual training, marks China's first public test of an ICBM in over four decades, with the last known test occurring in 1980. The Chinese Defense Ministry emphasized that the launch was in line with international laws and practices and was not directed against any specific country or target. The missile, likely a DF-41, has a range of 12,000 to 15,000 km and is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 25. The launch has raised international concerns about China's growing nuclear capabilities and its potential impact on regional security dynamics.