Within the framework of the grand military parade held to celebrate another anniversary of Victory Day, China’s Armed Forces publicly unveiled their new DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile alongside a TEL-type launcher, marking a major step forward in strengthening its nuclear deterrence capabilities. The weapon is believed to have been designed as a successor to the current DF-41 missiles in service with the Asian giant. Western analysts had speculated about its existence some time ago, but until now it had never been seen in public—finally appearing for the first time during preparations for the parade.
According to images from those rehearsals, later confirmed during the event itself, the DF-61 launchers were mounted on large sixteen-wheeled trucks, painted in camouflage schemes and bearing white identification markings. Beyond this, no technical details were officially disclosed, though initial, unconfirmed assessments suggest the missile may have a range of up to 15,000 kilometers and the ability to carry between 3 and 14 warheads depending on configuration.
Compared with the DF-41 already in service, and if such reports are accurate, the new weapon would represent a leap forward in both range and payload capacity. The DF-41 is estimated to have a range of 12,000–15,000 kilometers and can carry up to 10 MIRV-type warheads, according to data published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Missile Defense Project.
It is also worth recalling, as highlighted by The War Zone, that U.S. military leadership had already acknowledged the likelihood of such a development back in 2020. At that time, U.S. Strategic Command chief General Anthony Cotton informed Congress in a closed session that China was working on a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile designed to surpass the DF-41’s capabilities. While it is unclear whether this is the same system, the designations DF-45 and DF-51 had been cited, possibly referring to earlier iterations prior to the version now displayed during the parade.
Aligned with its broader nuclear expansion strategy, China has invested heavily not only in these new missile systems but also in diversifying weapons able to carry warheads of varying yields and ranges. Pentagon reports in 2023 projected that China would surpass 600 warheads by mid-2024 and exceed 1,000 by the next decade, continuing to expand its arsenal at least through 2035. Satellite imagery has also revealed the construction of large silo fields intended to house these weapons.
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