DF-61

❧

Wikipedia

DF-61
DF-61 missile at the 2025 Victory Day Parade
TypeIntercontinental ballistic missile
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2025–present
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Production history
ManufacturerChina Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
Specifications
EngineThree-stage solid-fuel rocket
Operational
range
~12,000–15,000 kilometres (7,500–9,300 mi)[1][2]
Guidance
system
Inertial, likely with BeiDou updates
Launch
platform
Silo, road-mobile Transporter erector launcher

The Dongfeng-61 (simplified Chinese: 东风-61; traditional Chinese: 東風-61; lit. 'East Wind-61', DF-61) is an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the People’s Republic of China. The missile was publicly unveiled at the 2025 China Victory Day Parade on 3 September 2025 in Beijing. Its design closely resembles the earlier DF-41, leading analysts to speculate it may serve as a successor.[3]

According to The Guardian, four DF-61 launchers were paraded, each mounted on 16-wheel road-mobile HTF5980 transporter erector launcher (TEL). Western analysts described the system as the “main surprise” of the parade, with its estimated range of approximately 7,500 miles, sufficient to reach Washington, D.C., from Beijing.[4]

Defense experts in Taiwan described the DF-61 as an instrument of "political denial", citing its potential to carry nuclear warheads intended to deter foreign intervention, particularly the event of a cross-Strait conflict. These views were shared alongside commentary on other systems unveiled at the parade, including the JL-3 SLBM and AJX002 underwater drone.[5]

Development and speculation

According to analysis by the Federation of American Scientists, the DF-61 was the only entirely new nuclear missile system presented at the 2025 parade. Its launcher appeared nearly identical to that of the DF-41 displayed in 2019, leading to speculation that it may be either a modified version of the DF-41 or a new missile design derived from it. Some observers suggested it could even have been the rumored conventional ICBM, although its inclusion in the explicitly nuclear formation made that unlikely.[6]

Earlier "DF-61" program

A 1976-1977 project sought to develop a "DF-61" as a tactical nuclear missile.[7]: 122  The project was inspired by North Korea's interest in obtaining 600 km missiles from China.[7]: 122–123  Although no agreement with North Korea proceeded, China began to develop a tactical nuclear missile with an aim towards countering the threat it perceived from the Soviet Union.[7]: 123  This earlier DF-61 program ended in 1977, possibly due to China's decision not to emphasize tactical weapons in its nuclear weapons program.[7]: 123 

See also

References

  1. ↑ "U.S., India or Japan: Should China's 'Landmark' Parade Worry QUAD Allies as It Flaunts Cutting-Edge Weapons?".
  2. ↑ Sabbagh, Dan (3 September 2025). "Nuclear triad and 'robot wolves': parade shows off array of Chinese weapons". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  3. ↑ Chan, Ryan (3 September 2025). "China Unveils New Nuclear Missiles for 'Global' Reach". Newsweek.
  4. ↑ Sabbagh, Dan (3 September 2025). "Nuclear triad and 'robot wolves': parade shows off array of Chinese weapons". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  5. ↑ Lin, Sean (3 September 2025). "China's new missiles may deter aid to Taiwan: Experts". Focus Taiwan (CNA). Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  6. ↑ Kristensen, Hans M.; Eliana Johns; Matt Korda; Mackenzie Knight-Boyle (4 September 2025). "Nuclear Weapons At China's 2025 Victory Day Parade". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Zhang, Hui (2025). The Untold Story of China's Nuclear Weapon Development and Testing: A Technical History. Belfer Center Studies in International Security. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-05182-8.