China's DF-41 Nuclear Missile Could Become Operational This Year

China's 7000 miles range DF-41 ballistic missile could become operational as early as this year.

Beijing reportedly conducted a flight test on August 6 of its long-range missile that launched two independently-targeted simulated nuclear warheads, freebeacon.com, a US based politics website said quoting unnamed US officials.

The launch of the road-mobile missile Aug. 6 was the fourth time the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been test-fired in three years, and indicates that the weapon capable of hitting US cities with nuclear warheads is nearing deployment.

The DF-41, with a range of between 6,835 miles and 7,456 miles, is viewed by the Pentagon as Beijing’s most potent nuclear missile and one of several new long-range missiles in development or being deployed.

Deployment of the DF-41 also could coincide with China’s first patrols of submarines armed with nuclear-tipped JL-2 missiles.

Freebeacon.com quoted Rick Fisher, a senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, as saying that the repeated flight tests indicate the DF-41 is “nearing operational status.”