China's Successful ICBM Test Raises Concerns Among Regional Powers!

China recently conducted a successful test of a long-range Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) over the South Pacific. On September 25, the Ministry of Defense said the launch was part of a routine military exercise. Analysts believe the missile tested likely belonged to the Dongfeng-31 (DF-31) series, with an estimated range of about 13,200 kilometers.

French officials reported that the missile landed in the waters of French-controlled Polynesia, near the Marquesas Islands. Experts think the timing of the test, which aligned with the United Nations General Assembly session in New York, showed Beijing’s intent to highlight its strategic capabilities amid growing competition with the United States.

China’s ICBM development program started in the 1960s. Its first long-range missile, the DF-4, with a range of 7,000 km, was actually an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM). The country's first true ICBM was the liquid-fueled DF-5, successfully tested in 1980 with an estimated range of 9,000 km. Today, China has solid-fueled ICBMs like the DF-31 (7,200–13,200 km) and the DF-41 (12,000–15,000 km), both showing a significant improvement in range, mobility, and survival.

Before this latest test, Beijing informed the United States and France about the missile's trajectory. However, it did not notify regional neighbors like Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. This raised concerns in those countries. Japan confirmed that the missile did not pass through its airspace but expressed worry over China’s growing military strength. Australia called the test a serious concern, while New Zealand labeled it as an unexpected and worrying development.

Currently, only a few countries, including the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, and North Korea, have ICBM technology. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates that China may possess around 500–600 nuclear warheads and at least 350 ICBMs with various ranges and capabilities.

Pentagon assessments also suggest that, by 2030, China could boost its nuclear and thermonuclear warhead stockpile to about 1,000. While still smaller than the arsenals of the U.S. and Russia, this rapid buildup highlights Beijing’s strategic goals and ongoing improvements in nuclear deterrence.

Sources: Wikipedia, Reuters, Global Times, NBC

Author: Sherazur Rahman, Teacher & Writer, Singra, Natore, Bangladesh sherazbd@gmail.com

Author’s Note:

This article was written by Sherazur Rahman. AI tools were used only to refine language and ensure factual accuracy. All opinions and analyses are solely those of the author.