China Displays Dongfeng-31AG Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Model

China has displayed for the first time a model of the Dongfeng-31AG intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of hitting remote locations with a more mobile off-road trailer and launcher.

A model of an advanced form of one its intercontinental ballistic missiles was displayed at an exhibition to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army later this year, South China Morning Post reported Monday.

The Dongfeng-31AG is an upgraded version of the DF-31A. It was shown for the first time at an exhibition marking the anniversary at the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution in Beijing last week.

The new missile system is expected to share a similar estimated range of 11,000km with the DF-31A – enough to reach most locations but will be more mobile thanks to its new carrier vehicle design, military experts said.

The DF-31AG is based on an eight axle launch vehicle that can go off-road whereas, the DF-31A’s carrier is limited to hard surfaced roads.

Missiles with high mobility are seen as a greater strategic threat than those deployed in silos because they can be moved and hidden to avoid detection by satellites or other devices, making them harder to track down or target during a conflict.