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| China Tests Carrier Killer DF-17 Hypersonic Missile |
Taipei - China test-fired a DF-17 hypersonic missile, dubbed the carrier-killing missile, in a combat drill to blockade or encircle Taiwan.
The massive combat drills were launched around Taiwan in response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island. The use of advanced DF-17 missiles in the maneuver was reported by Chinese state media, Global Times, on Wednesday (3/8/2022).
Ongoing exercises involve joint blockades, sea strikes and ground and air combat training," the media report said, adding that Chinese J-20 stealth fighter jets were also taking part.
The Global Times called such war games "unprecedented". "China's missiles are expected to fly over the island of Taiwan for the first time. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops are also expected to enter an area 12 nautical miles from the island of Taiwan, and will completely encircle the island.
China's Armed Forces Eastern Theater Command said on Wednesday that troops involved in these combat drills are conducting realistic combat-oriented exercises in the north, southwest and southeast of the island of Taiwan.
The exercise is expected to last at least until Sunday (7/8/2022) afternoon. According to the Xinhua news agency, this massive maneuver involved direct fire drills in six major maritime areas and airspace around the island of Taiwan.
The DF-17 missile was first publicly demonstrated by the Chinese military on July 31, 2022. In video footage, the missile fire is claimed to celebrate the PLA's 95th anniversary.
The DF-17, which stands for Dongfeng (East Wind), reportedly uses a hypersonic launcher, flies five times faster than the speed of sound and has an unpredictable trajectory. According to the Global Times, this missile is great for hitting slow-moving targets like aircraft carriers.