China, Russia Test Launch ICBMs. Satellite Shows Russian Test Failed And Exploded, Left Large Crater
China, Russia Test Launch ICBMs. Satellite Shows Russian Test Failed And Exploded, Left Large Crater
Although the Chinese military did not say what type of missile was fired, its latest known missile is the Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 which was displayed in 2019
MOSCOW/BEIJING - Russia and China have both carried out Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) tests, with Russia’s test of its Sarmat (Satan II) ICBM failing either while fueling the missile, or during the test, according to satellite images that show a crater where the launch site had been located. China also launched 8 satellites the day before its ICBM launch.
China’s Rocket Force test-launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile loaded with a dummy warhead into the Pacific at 8:44 a.m. (00:55 GMT) on Wednesday, according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense which said the missile “fell into expected sea areas”.
The Chinese military released a statement that said, “The PLA Rocket Force launched an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) carrying a dummy warhead to the high seas in the Pacific Ocean at 08:44 on September 25th, and the missile fell into expected sea areas”.
New Photos Posted By The Chinese Military
The Chinese military added, “This test launch is a routine arrangement in our annual training plan. It is in line with international law and international practice and is not directed against any country or target”.
Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa spoke to reporters in Tokyo and said, “Currently, the situation is being analyzed by the relevant ministries and agencies.It has been reported that the vessel fell into the Pacific Ocean, but in terms of the safety of ships and other vessels, there have been no reports of any damage so far. We will promptly investigate and analyze the matter, as well as maintain close vigilance and monitoring”.
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara reported that there was no information about any damage to Japanese ships, or other vessels in the region as a result of the ICBM launch.
“We will continue to collect and analyze information about the movements of the Chinese military while doing a good job of vigilance and surveillance,” the Defense minister said.
The Japanese Coast Guard said they received a report from the Chinese hydrographic authority regarding “falling space debris” on September 23rd, after which they issued a navigational warning telling vessels navigating the region to be cautious.
According to Japanese media the fall period for the ICBM was to be from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Japanese local time on September 25th. NHK reported that the trajectory would be from the “sea northwest of Luzon Island in the Philippines, the Pacific Ocean east of Luzon Island, and the South Pacific northeast of New Zealand”.
“The Ministry of Defense says this report appears to be referring to the ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) that China launched at 9:44 a.m. on the 25th,” NHK reported, adding that the director of the China Research Institute at the Ministry of Defense's National Institute for Defense Studies Masayuki Masuda said that the missile is likely the Dongfeng-41, which is capable of hitting the mainland United States and carrying multiple nuclear warheads.
“It is believed that the missile passed over the Pacific Ocean and landed in the South Pacific,” it continued, adding that it’s believed to be the first time China has launched an ICBM into the sea since 1980, 44 years ago.
“Until now, China has been proceeding with tests and launches while avoiding external stimulation. , has announced that it has landed an ICBM in the Pacific Ocean that is within range of the U.S. mainland, which is clearly a message to the United States,” Masuda stated.
Masuda also said that China’s aim was to show that the Dongfeng-41, which was first announced 5 years ago has “entered a stage where it can be used in combat”.
“The alliance network including Japan, the United States, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia is becoming stronger. It appears that the United States sent a clear message back to the United States at a time when a system based on alliances is being strengthened with China in mind,” the Director added.
Although the Chinese military did not say what type of missile was fired, its latest known missile is the Dongfeng-41 or DF-41 which was displayed in 2019 during celebrations to mark 70 years of the People’s Republic of China.
The DF-41 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile is known to have a range between 12,000 and 15,000km (7,400-9,320 miles).
The missile test was rare, and also unusual in the fact that China does not usually fire ICBMs into international waters, but usually prefers testing them in remote or isolated provinces such as the Xinjiang region or Bohai Sea.
The country also does not normally disclose that it has launched an ICBM and normally prefers to be private about its launches. The last time China is believed to have fired an ICBM into the Pacific was in May of 1980 when it launched a DF-5 missile into the South Pacific.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also delivered a message on Monday encouraging the country’s space industry to work hard to accelerate its progress in “space endeavors” according to it’s Ministry of Defense as he met with representatives of China’s space scientists and engineers who took part in developing the Chang'e-6 lunar mission.