China Unveils New DF-5C Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

3 SEP 2025 07:49

China's DF-5C missile was first publicly displayed on September 3, 2025, during a military parade held on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of China's victory in World War II. It is considered an important part of China's nuclear arsenal.

The DF-5C is based on the DF-5 series but has significant improvements, particularly in terms of multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Length: 32.6 meters.
Diameter: 3.35 meters.
Launch weight: 183,000 kg.
Exceeds the speed of sound dozens of times.
Range is over 20,000 km, allowing it to reach any point on Earth (global coverage).
Warheads and Payload
Can carry up to 10 multiple independently targetable warheads, which can be nuclear or conventional, as well as decoys.
Warhead yield: 1-3 megatons (based on the DF-5 series).
Payload: 3,000-4,000 kg (for the series).
Guidance System
Inertial guidance, stellar guidance, and China's Beidou navigation system.
Final boost control system and re-entry technology, which allows for sequential release of warheads and independent selection of targets at a depth of hundreds of kilometers.