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China flexes deterrence muscle with new missile line-up in military parade
The PLA appears to have a nuclear triad, with land, sea and air arsenal
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China put its growing deterrence power on show in Beijing on Wednesday with a slew of new nuclear missiles for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), many of which could reach the United States.
Among the weapons appearing in public for the first time was the Jing Lei-1, or JL-1, long-range air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM).
ALBMs are typically launched from bombers and are considered to be a pillar of a nuclear triad – a three-pronged military force structure for delivering nuclear weapons alongside intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
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The missile is China’s first known ALBM and possibly could be launched from an H-6 bomber, completing Beijing’s nuclear triad.
05:50
China showcases new military hardware in massive Victory Day parade
China showcases new military hardware in massive Victory Day parade
Another key debut in the military parade in Beijing was that of the JL-3, a third-generation intercontinental-range SLBM that is considered a cornerstone of China’s sea-based nuclear deterrent. It is designed to be carried by the Type 094 and potentially future Type 096 nuclear submarines.
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With a reported operational range of over 10,000km (6,200 miles), the JL-3 can carry three multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) and has the capacity to reach the US mainland.
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