China has unveiled the DF-5C nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time during a national parade, presenting a system that Chinese officials describe as capable of striking anywhere on the planet.
According to details released at the event, the DongFeng-5C is a liquid-fueled ICBM and a key component of China’s strategic counterattack system.
The missile is designed for “global strike coverage and constant combat readiness, providing effective deterrence and maintaining peace through strength,” the official description said.
During the parade, China transported all components of the missile system on three different platforms, including the first stage, second stage, and the nuclear warhead itself. The warhead unveiled with the DF-5C has a yield of 4 megatons, described as “200 times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”
The DF-5C is the latest evolution of the long-serving DF-5 series. The original DF-5 was introduced with a single 5-megaton warhead and a range of 13,000 kilometers. A later version, the DF-5B, carried four 65-kiloton warheads with a similar range. The newly presented DF-5C carries six 65-kiloton warheads, maintaining the 13,000-kilometer reach but adding multiple independently targeted warheads to enhance its survivability and strike options.
Reports accompanying the display also noted claims that the DF-5C incorporates new staged combustion cycle engines, a technical development that could improve efficiency and reliability compared to earlier models. Analysts say such improvements would allow the missile to remain on alert and ready for use, despite the complexity of its liquid-fuel design.
The DF-5C’s size and weight remain in line with earlier variants, with a takeoff weight estimated at around 200 tons. Its long range allows coverage of virtually any target worldwide, extending China’s deterrent posture beyond regional confines.
The DF-5 family has long been central to China’s strategic arsenal. Its evolution from a single high-yield warhead to multiple warheads reflects global trends in nuclear weapons development. The DF-5C’s global range and multiple-warhead design provide Beijing with an additional layer of deterrence alongside its newer solid-fueled intercontinental systems.