China Ballistic Missiles and Nuclear Arms Thread

[kroko]

Re: DF-41 Missile\

The article is not referring to the DF-41. 4000 km is far below ICBM range.

Yea, TBH i really dont see what is the point of developing something with this range. The USA is out of reach with it, and they already have missiles capable of hitting russia and europe.

 

[Blitzo]

Re: DF-41 Missile\

Yea, TBH i really dont see what is the point of developing something with this range. The USA is out of reach with it, and they already have missiles capable of hitting russia and europe.

Well it will have a conventional warhead so it's obviously not meant as a strategic weapon. Besides they already have ICBMs capable of hitting the US and are probably upping the range for JL-2 to hit continental US from South China sea.

A newer IRBM will complement the earlier model DF-21s and will form the basis for a regional, fast precision strike capable of hitting the majority of US bases in the region and could be further developed into a longer ranged AShBM, and even ASAT or ABM system like how the current DF-21 has been.
This 4000km IRBM will probably feature more capable countermeasures and manouevering warheads (or even MiRV?) as well as terminal guidance. It will be another component of the A2D network the PLA is creating.

 

[kroko]

Re: DF-41 Missile\

Well it will have a conventional warhead so it's obviously not meant as a strategic weapon. Besides they already have ICBMs capable of hitting the US and are probably upping the range for JL-2 to hit continental US from South China sea.

A newer IRBM will complement the earlier model DF-21s and will form the basis for a regional, fast precision strike capable of hitting the majority of US bases in the region and could be further developed into a longer ranged AShBM, and even ASAT or ABM system like how the current DF-21 has been.
This 4000km IRBM will probably feature more capable countermeasures and manouevering warheads (or even MiRV?) as well as terminal guidance. It will be another component of the A2D network the PLA is creating.

The thing is, how much resources do you want to blow in creating an arsenal of one-off conventional MRBM that dont have that much accuracy and will attack targets that are certainly defended by patriots/SM-3 ??? how many DF-21 does china have? 100? Its a 1700 km MRBM. A 4000 km MRBM will cost much more.

PLA cant cut corners this way. They need a balanced force.

But this is off topic.

 

[Blitzo]

Re: DF-41 Missile\

The thing is, how much of resources do you want to blow in creating an arsenal of one-off conventional MRBM that dont have that much accuracy and will attack targets that are very much certainly defended by patriots/SM3 ??? how many DF-21 does china have? 100? Its a 1700 km MRBM. A 4000 km MRBM will cost much more.

Well let's see, if they 2nd Arty has been investing into accuracy enough to hit a moving carrier, it shoudl be... very accurate. I'm sure I don't need to spell it out for you. DF-11 and DF-15 have been equipped with INS/GPS guidance anyway, and will probably be switched to COMPASS once that comes online.
Cost shouldn't be an issue -- as technology becomes more mature it becomes cheaper. I don't want to make any predictions, but a 4000 km IRBM must be either capable enough, or cheap enough to be able to hit highly valued targets accurately and in reasonable numbers.

Just because there might be SM-3 and Patriot (and let's throw in THAAD too, for fun) doesn't mean they shouldn't invest in ballistic missiles... They'll obviuosly be upping the game with countermeasures and manouevering warheads etc. IT's like saying all non stealthy aircraft are useless because of PAC-1/2 or S-300. Land based anti missile batteries would be targets for cruise missiles and strike aircraft too -- but then I'm getting too far into hypothetical scenarios. I don't see why you think upgrading and developing conventional IRBMs seem to be a waste of resources.

PLA cant cut corners this way. They need a balanced force.

But this is off topic.

How are the PLA cutting corners if they acquire a 4000 km IRBM?? And I don't think we have a specific thread for the 2nd artillery, so we may as well just talk here.

 

[KingLouis]

Re: how much was China's nuclear programs affected by the earthquake?

I know this is an old thread. Can't someone give some information of the effect of Japan's earthquake on China's nuclear programs.

 

[JimJiang]

Re: how much was China's nuclear programs affected by the earthquake?

Japan get a big earthquake of 7.2 today

 

[pugachev_diver]

Re: how much was China's nuclear programs affected by the earthquake?

The earthquake in Japan has absolutely no effect on China's nuclear program, way too far for any serious effects. Even the Sichuan earthquake itself wasn't that big of a deal for the nuclear program. Keep in mind that even the buildings in the epicentre didn't collapse as long as they met standard safety regulations. Only those badly built ones didn't survive. Those nuclear research facilities are China's most precious resources and they are military facilities, so their construction standard probably match those nuclear bunkers used for the country's officials. Nothing big would happen there, maybe except some of those delicate instruments might be damaged. But those are replaceable objects, they can probably be replaced pretty quickly.

 

[SinoSoldier]

Chinese Prompt Global Strike: How Far From Reality?

The US is developing a weapon that could strike anyplace in the world within hours. How far is China's equivalent from reality?

PLA has unveiled some pretty amazing stuff in the few years. Some options for a PLA global strike are listed below.

1. Ultra long range LACMs

PLA is building LACMs possessing ranges of 5000-8000 km

One such article revealed interest in “super long range” and intercontinental cruise missiles with striking distances of 5,000 to 8,000 km and over 8,000 km, respectively

2. Hypersonic vehicle

PLA has tested two hypersonic vehicles, one from Chengdu and Shenlong

The hypersonic plane built by Chengdu:


3. Suborbital bomber

PLA is building suborbital bomber

A November 2009 article reported that China Strategy Institute member Jiang Feng stated the “next step’ of the Chinese Air Force is to “focus” on “developing” “assassin satellites, laser interceptor satellites, etc.” This report further states, “It is reported that China's air force is currently also working hard to develop a new model orbital bomber.”[30] PLA interest in a “space bomber” is also indicated in Chinese engineering literature.

 

[Red___Sword]

Re: Chinese Prompt Global Strike: How Far From Reality?

Sounds like a report to congress to me.

 

[Blitzo]

Re: Chinese Prompt Global Strike: How Far From Reality?

I think those options you listed are all fairly off into the future and having studies into these areas doesn't mean it will involve into a real weapon.
Also, we have to wonder whether the pla will have a desire to have PGS capability in the near future.

And the ultra long range lacm is less "prompt" global strike but "maybe in a few hours" global strike. Unless they're supersonic or hypersonic where coneventional icbms might be better instead.