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| The DF-26 (Dong Feng-26) Ballistic Missile |
International Military - Taiwan's territorial waters had been the target of the launch of ballistic missiles from China. The incident came a day after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the self-governing island.
The Chinese military confirmed that several conventional missiles were fired in Taiwanese waters as part of a planned exercise in six zones.
Chinese CCTV cameras showed military drills involving more than 100 aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers as well as more than 10 warships. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese government revealed that 11 Chinese DongFeng ballistic missiles had been launched in nearby waters since the first time in 1996.
DongFeng itself is one of the strongest types of ballistic missiles owned by China which has tough specifications and deadly explosive power. The DF-41 (DongFeng-41, CSS-20) is a Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This missile has an operational range of up to 15,000 km, making it China's long-range missile.
Quoted from missile threat.csis.org, it is known that this missile is capable of loading several independently targeted warheads (MIRV). The missile that was sent to Taiwan has a length of 22 meters with a diameter of 2.25 meters and a weight of 80 thousand kilograms. Chinese state media claims the missile can carry up to 10 MIRV warheads with a total weight of 2,500 kg.
The DF-41 self-guided missile is equipped with an 8-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL) derived from the TEL DF-31AG chassis. Satellite images show that China is also exploring the option of a silo base for its DF-41 supplies.
In early 2018, China had started construction of several silos to manufacture the DF-41, and by 2021 they had at least 16 units under construction at the training complex. The Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology began developing the DF-41 in July 1986.
Photos of the DF-41 prototype launcher first began circulating in 2007. It was only on July 24, 2012, China conducted its first flight test. The DF-41 underwent its second test run on 13 December 2013, which was launched from Wuzhai in Shaanxi province to a test target in western China, and its third test run on 13 December 2014.