More missiles for 5000 km: China increases production of launchers for DF-26 ballistic missiles

Janes, citing satellite images of one of the enterprises, reported that China is increasing the production of ballistic missile launchers Dong Feng-26.

Here's What We Know

Satellite images show 59 launchers at the Beijing Xinghang production site, which indicates a significant increase in production. In addition, according to the publication, the plant assembled at least 72 missile launchers in 2023-2024.

The number of launchers revealed in 2024 will allow the Missile Forces of the Chinese National Defence Army to equip 36 new brigades equipped to hit both land and surface targets. The DF-26 system, according to Chinese officials, is capable of hitting surface targets, which significantly expands its capabilities in confronting the US Navy.

In April 2021, Colonel Wu Qian, director of the Information Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of National Defence, announced that the modification of the missile to attack surface ships had passed all tests and was adopted.

According to American experts, the DF-26 missile has a range of up to 4,500 km, and with a warhead weighing 1.6 tonnes - up to 4,000 km. US intelligence also reports that from 2018 to 2024, China produced more than 250 such missile systems.

Potentially, this range allows China to strike at the territory of Guam, where the United States deploys strategic bombers.

It is worth noting that China is also increasing the production of nuclear weapons: according to US intelligence estimates, by 2030, China will have increased its nuclear arsenal to more than 1,000 nuclear warheads.

Of course, most of them will be intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of hitting the continental United States.

Source: Janes