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52-743: The PRC began developing the DF-31 ICBM in January 1985. ARMT (then called the 4th Aerospace Academy) was appointed as the main contractor while the research arm of the Second Artillery Corps (SAC) which, provided contributing support. The land-based variant of the JL-2 was originally called the DF-23 but was changed later on to the DF-31 because of a change in operational requirements. In 1999,

104-583: A Military Unit Cover Designator (MUCD, Chinese : 部队代号 ; pinyin : bùduì dàihào ). A unit's TUD is intended for internal use while the MUCD is intended to be used externally to protect and conceal the true identity of the unit. For example, the first brigade of the Base 61 has the TUD "611 Brigade" and the MUCD "Unit 96711". MUCDs do, however, often reveal the a unit's echelon, mission, and subordination. Although

156-481: A Communications Engineering Regiment responsible for laying down the PLARF’s physical communications infrastructure (fiber optics), a specialized "hostile environment" wireless communication regiment, and a Communications Repair and Maintenance Regiment. Base 69 (69 基地) MUCD: 96609 is a Test and Training Base [试验训练基地]. It was established in early 2017, gathering together a number of test and training districts and units. It

208-434: A base hospital ( [医院 ), and training ( [训练团 ), communications ( [通信团 ), operational support ( 作战保障团 ), comprehensive support ( [综合保障团 ), and inspection ( 装检团 ) regiments . The operational support regiment in each of the six operations bases provides security, engineering , meteorology , survey and mapping, and chemical , biological , radiological , and nuclear (CBRN) defense. Each base's comprehensive support regiment

260-710: A concern after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake , where the vulnerability of transport networks in Shaanxi province was dramatically proven. Units believed to be subordinate to Base 67 are: Base 68 (68 基地) MUCD: 96608 is the PLARF's engineering support base, in charge for the construction and maintenance of the physical infrastructure of the Force. Established in 2012, it is headquartered in Luoyang , Henan It consists of 6 Engineering Brigades, two of which specialize in installation,

312-510: A credible deterrent force with land, sea and air elements. Land-based forces included ICBMs, IRBMs, and MRBMs. The sea-based strategic force consisted of SSBNs. The Air Force 's bombers were capable of delivering nuclear bombs but would be unlikely to penetrate the sophisticated air defenses of modern military powers. China's nuclear forces, in combination with the PLA's conventional forces, served to deter both nuclear and conventional attacks on

364-575: A no-first-use policy means that its nuclear forces have to be capable of both surviving a first-strike, and receiving the orders required to fire back. The PLARF Golden Wheel Project (Chinese Misplaced Pages: 金轮工程 ) co-operates the DF-3 and DF-21 medium-range ballistic missiles in Saudi Arabia since the establishment of Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force in 1984. Medium-range ballistic missile A medium-range ballistic missile ( MRBM )

416-589: A nuclear second-strike capability . The nuclear forces were operated by the 100,000-person Strategic Missile Force, which was controlled directly by the General Staff . China began developing nuclear weapons in the late 1950s with substantial Soviet assistance. With the Sino-Soviet split in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Soviet Union withheld plans and data for an atomic bomb , abrogated

468-404: A potential conflict with Taiwan ), Base 61 is armed primarily with short-range conventional missiles while the more inland Bases 64 and 66 operate long-range nuclear-capable missiles. These six operations bases are all similarly structured with a base headquarters, staff department ( 参谋部 ), political work department ( 政治工作部 ), support department, six to eight subordinate missile brigades ( 导弹旅 ),

520-485: Is a three stage solid-fuel rocket equipped with an inertial navigation system . The missile is mounted on a transporter erector launcher . It is capable of reaching targets throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of Canada and the northwestern United States. The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF-31 called the DF-31A. This upgraded missile has a reported range of 13,200 km, will allow targeting of most of

572-431: Is a type of ballistic missile with medium range , this last classification depending on the standards of certain organizations. Within the U.S. Department of Defense , a medium-range missile is defined by having a maximum range of between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometres (620 and 1,860 mi). In modern terminology, MRBMs are part of the wider grouping of theatre ballistic missiles , which includes any ballistic missile with

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624-442: Is also led by Political Commissar Xu Xisheng and Deputy Political Commissar Yu Guang ( 禹光 ). PLARF Command has four direct-reporting units which are not within the command's headquarters nor the subordinate bases: PLARF Staff Department, Political Work Department, Equipment Department, and Logistics Department. Each unit of the PLA maintains both a True Unit Designator (TUD, Chinese : 部队番号 ; pinyin : bùduì fānhào ) and

676-497: Is believed to have atop speed of Mach 10, or 12,360 km/h (7,680 mph). Two Chinese technical papers from December 2012 and April 2013 show that China has concluded that hypersonic weapons pose "a new aerospace threat" and that they are developing satellite directed precision guidance systems. China is the third country to enter the "hypersonic arms race" after Russia and the United States. The U.S. Air Force has flown

728-557: Is headquartered in Yinchuan and comprises four new Test and Training Districts, as well as several regiments supporting testing and training missions. Most notable are the Blue Team OPFOR units that subject PLARF training units to attack during exercises The PLARF has operated a separate command and control structure from the rest of the PLA since 1967. The goal of the system is to ensure tight control of nuclear warheads at

780-621: Is responsible for equipment (including vehicles and missile) repair, maintenance, fueling, and storage — the result of a 2017 merge of base repair factories ( 修配厂 ) with technical service regiments ( 技术勤务团 ). Base equipment inspection regiments are responsible for nuclear warhead logistics including storage, maintenance, and distribution at each base. Exceptions to this standard base structure: Base 61 commands an additional regiment for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, Base 63 commands an additional regiment for ICBM liquid fueling, and Base 64 possesses an equipment inspection brigade as opposed to

832-665: The Dongfeng-5 (CCS-4); the missile flew from central China to the Western Pacific , where it was recovered by a naval task force. The Dongfeng-5 possessed the capability to hit targets in the Soviet Union and the western United States . In 1981, China launched three satellites into space orbit from a single launch vehicle , indicating that China might possess the technology to develop multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). China also launched

884-669: The Type 092 submarine SSBN (Xia-class) in 1981, and the next year it conducted its first successful test launch of the Julang-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile (CSS-NX-4). In addition to the development of a sea-based nuclear force, China began considering the development of tactical nuclear weapons . PLA exercises featured the simulated use of tactical nuclear weapons in offensive and defensive situations beginning in 1982. Reports of Chinese possession of tactical nuclear weapons had remained unconfirmed in 1987. In 1986, China possessed

936-578: The X-51A Waverider technology demonstrator and the U.S. Army has flight tested the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon . China later confirmed the successful test flight of a "hypersonic missile delivery vehicle," but claimed it was part of a scientific experiment and not aimed at a target. US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimated that as of 2023 the number of Chinese nuclear warheads capable of reaching

988-544: The 1960s in developing nuclear weapons. In a 32-month period, China successfully tested its first atomic bomb on October 16, 1964, at Lop Nor , launched its first nuclear missile on October 27, 1966, and detonated its first hydrogen bomb on June 17, 1967. Deployment of the Dongfeng-1 conventionally armed short-range ballistic missile and the Dongfeng-2 (CSS-1) medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) occurred in

1040-566: The 1960s. The Dongfeng-3 (CCS-2) intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) was successfully tested in 1969. Although the Cultural Revolution disrupted the strategic weapons program less than other scientific and educational sectors in China, there was a slowdown in succeeding years. Gansu hosted a missile launching area. China destroyed 9 U-2 surveillance craft while two went missing when they attempted to spy on it. In

1092-645: The 1970s, the nuclear weapons program saw the development of MRBM , IRBM and ICBMs and marked the beginning of a deterrent force. China continued MRBM deployment, began deploying the Dongfeng-3 IRBM and successfully tested and commenced deployment of the Dongfeng-4 (CSS-4) limited-range ICBM. By 1980, China had overcome the slowdown in nuclear development caused by the Cultural Revolution and had successes in its strategic weapons program. In May 1980, China successfully test launched its full-range ICBM,

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1144-571: The 1990s. While historically Chinese nuclear missile forces had to launch from pre-prepared sites, the newest generation of nuclear-capable missiles (the DF-26 and DF-31AG) have been seen deploying to, and launching from, unprepared sites in exercises. This would corroborate reports that PLARF communications regiments are being trained in the ability to set up telephone and command networks "on-the-fly". The reason for these changes likely has to do with concerns about PLARF survivability; China's commitment to

1196-654: The 90th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army in 2017, DF-31AG ICBM was officially demonstrated. Second Artillery Corps The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force , formerly the Second Artillery Corps , is the strategic and tactical missile force of the People's Republic of China . The PLARF is the 4th branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and controls China's arsenal of land-based ballistic, hypersonic, cruise missiles—both nuclear and conventional. The armed service branch

1248-481: The Atomic Scientists and Federation of American Scientists estimated in 2023 that China has a stockpile of approximately 500 nuclear warheads. In the late 1980s, China was the world's third-largest nuclear power, possessing a small but credible nuclear deterrent force of approximately 100 to 400 nuclear weapons. Beginning in the late 1970s, China deployed a full range of nuclear weapons and acquired

1300-526: The Chinese lands. Chinese leaders pledged to not use nuclear weapons first ( no first use ), but pledged to absolutely counter-attack with nuclear weapons if nuclear weapons are used against China. China envisioned retaliation against strategic and tactical attacks and would probably strike countervalue rather than counterforce targets. The combination of China's few nuclear weapons and technological factors such as range, accuracy, and response time limited

1352-508: The DF-31A called the DF-31AG (G stands for 改 (Gaï), "modified) or DF-31B with an off-road 8 axle TEL and MIRVs . China has successfully tested it from a mobile launcher. The missile's TEL features an extra pair of elevators near the aft of the missile unlike the TELs of the DF-31 or DF-31A, suggesting a heavier missile second and third stage than earlier variants. On the military parade marking

1404-557: The PLARF and military commands, or if it used by the Central Military Commission , which is believed to have its own communication system for the nuclear forces. The main nuclear storage facility is reportedly located in Taibai County , where large-scale tunneling activities have taken place. The main storage depot is apparently under Mount Taibai itself, with related Base 67 facilities spread throughout

1456-712: The PLARF) under the 302 Project, and then approved by committee on November 1. On 25 May 1968, it was transferred to the Second Artillery Force. In 1970, Base 65 moved to Tonghua City in Jilin Province . In 1992, it moved to its current home in Shenyang. It was transferred to the PLA Rocket Force in 2016. On 18 April 2017, under orders from CCP general secretary and CMC chairman Xi Jinping ,

1508-513: The Pacific Ocean since the early 1980s. The specific ICBM that was launched was not stated. As of at least 2024, China has the largest land-based missile arsenal in the world. It is currently somewhat unclear as to whether the Chinese theater commands or the PLARF itself has operational control over the conventional ballistic missile units, though it seems likely that the PLARF acts in coordination with, but not taking orders from,

1560-817: The People's Republic of China ; the CJ-10 represents the next generation in rocket weapons technology in the PLA. In late 2009, it was reported that the Corps was constructing a 3,000–5,000-kilometre (1,900–3,100 mi) long underground launch and storage facility for nuclear missiles in the Hebei province. 47 News reported that the facility was likely located in the Taihang Mountains . The DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) made its first flight test on 9 January 2014; it likely entered service by October 2019. It

1612-688: The United States has expanded well over 200. In June 2021, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies has found out that China is constructing new missile silo field in Gansu in western China. According to the satellite picture, 119 missile silos for intercontinental ballistic missiles are under construction near Yumen City . In July, Federation Of American Scientists found out there are another 110 silos being built in Hami , Xinjiang . The two significant expansion projects include silos more than ten times

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1664-500: The agreement on transferring defense and nuclear technology , and began the withdrawal of Soviet advisers in 1960. Despite the termination of Soviet assistance, China committed itself to continue nuclear weapons development to break "the superpowers ' monopoly on nuclear weapons," to ensure Chinese security against the Soviet and American threats, and to increase Chinese prestige and power internationally. China made rapid progress in

1716-428: The base was realigned and redesignated as the 65th Base. The PLARF operates another base, Base 67, MUCD: 96607, which is responsible for nuclear warhead storage (The "National Treasure", 国宝), warhead transport, warhead inspection and nuclear weapon's training. It is believed to form part of the nuclear C3 (command, control and communications) network, though it is unknown if this network is PLARF-only, shared between

1768-683: The base. On 18 April 2017, under orders from Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission, the base was re-designated Base 61. Base 65, headquartered in Shenyang , Liaoning Province, operates with the PLA's Northern Theater Command and stations units in the provinces of Liaoning , Jilin , and Shandong . Base 65 was founded in September 1964 as the 51st Base Command of the Second Artillery Corps (now

1820-536: The continental United States and was designed with MIRV capability to hold 3 to 5 warheads, each capable of a 90 kt yield, but is thought to be armed with only one warhead with penetration and decoy aids to complicate missile defense efforts. The missile was shown to the public during the parade in Beijing celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II on September 3, 2015. It can carry maneuverable reentry vehicles . The PRC has developed an improved variant of

1872-414: The effectiveness of nuclear strikes against counterforce targets. China has been seeking to increase the credibility of its nuclear retaliatory capability by dispersing and concealing its nuclear forces in difficult terrain, improving their mobility, and hardening its missile silos . The CJ-10 long-range cruise missile made its first public appearance during the military parade on the 60th Anniversary of

1924-482: The five Theaters throughout China. and each controls a number of brigades. The name was changed from the PLA Second Artillery Corps to the PLA Rocket Force on 1 January 2016. Despite claims by some, there appears to be no evidence to suggest that the new generation of Chinese ballistic-missile submarines will come under PLARF control. China has the largest land-based missile arsenal in

1976-531: The highest levels of government. This is done by the Central Military Commission having direct control of the PLARF, outside of the structure of military regions. For nuclear weapons, the command structure is believed to run from the CMC, to the headquarters of the PLARF in Beijing, from there to each Rocket Base, and from each Rocket Base down to the individual Brigade. From there, the Brigade transmits firing orders to

2028-572: The investigation of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Central Military Commission . Later that month, both Li Yuchao and Liu Guangbin were officially removed from their posts, while Wang Houbin was appointed as the commander of the PLARF. Additionally, Xu Xisheng was appointed as the political commissar. Li Yuchao and Liu Guangbin's expulsion has not been formally explained. There are rumors that they are being investigated for corruption or disclosing military secrets. Furthermore, it

2080-593: The launch companies under its control. In the case of conventional ballistic missiles, it is reasonable to assume that more autonomy will be provided in wartime, with command likely being issued from the Bases, which are believed to coordinate with their respective Military Regions on targeting and conventional missile use. Chinese nuclear C3 capabilities are centered around fiber-optic and satellite-based communication networks, replacing older radio command networks that made up the-then Second Artillery's C3 infrastructure before

2132-524: The missile was first displayed publicly at the National Day Parade. On August 2, 1999, the Chinese state news media reported the successful test of the DF-31. The third test flight of the missile occurred on November 4, 2000; the second test flight had taken place earlier that year. Operational deployment of the missiles reportedly began in 2006. In 2009, US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31 missiles had been deployed. The DF-31

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2184-483: The number of ICBM silos in operation of PLARF today. In July 2021, China tested globe-circling hypersonic missile including the unprecedented launch of a separate 2nd missile from the ultra-high-speed vehicle according to the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal. The test showed China's development of its strategic, nuclear-capable weapons as more advanced than any had thought, surprising Pentagon officials,

2236-515: The rest of the county. It appears that each missile Base also has its own smaller storage facility and depot. It is likely that warheads that require maintenance or testing, as well as a centralized reserve stock, are held at the Mount Taibai facility, with relatively few warheads distributed to the bases and brigades. It is likely that missile bases would receive additional warheads from the central depot in times of high tension. It seems that

2288-804: The standard regiment. Base 61 was founded in August 1965 as unit 121 in Guangyang Township of Shitai County in Anhui Province and is responsible for the construction of missile silos. The base itself was built in June 1966 under Project 303, and was designated as the 52nd Base of the Second Artillery Corp under the Nanjing Military Region on 25 May 1968. In 2016, the PLA Rocket Force assumed authority over

2340-565: The structure of a main unit in Taibai County, with smaller replica units throughout the bases, is repeated in the transportation units. Warhead and missile transport in China is heavily reliant on the rail and road systems, likely why a large-scale rail project was constructed in the 1960s by the PLA in the area of Baoji , a large city in Shaanxi province and the location of Base 67's headquarters since that same time period. This became

2392-434: The system has changed at least four times since 1950, current PLARF MUCDs are five digits which begin with '96'. PLARF MUCDs whose third digit is 1–5 are pre-2017 reform and are obsolete. The PLARF is organized into nine bases (each of corps command grade, roughly equivalent to a group army , or army corps ), ordinally numbered from Base 61 through Base 69. The first six bases (61 through 66) are operations bases assigned to

2444-497: The theater commands with regards to the use of conventional ballistic missiles, with control of nuclear weapons continuing to be exercised at the Central Military Commission level. The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) is under the direct command of the Central Military Commission (CMC). It has been commanded by Wang Houbin since July 2023, and by Deputy Commanders Li Chuanguang ( 李传广 ) and Chen Guangjun ( 陈光军 ) and an unknown chief of staff. PLA Rocket Force Command

2496-503: The two newspapers said. Neither the United States nor Russia has demonstrated the same ability, which requires launching a missile from a parent vehicle traveling five times the speed of sound. According to reporting by the Financial Times, this weapons system consists of two parts: a fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS) and a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). In July 2023, South China Morning Post reported that PLARF commander Li Yuchao and deputy commander Liu Guangbin were under

2548-539: The various geographic theater commands of the PRC while three bases (67 through 69) conduct support missions. PLARF bases are typically led by an officer in a Corps or Corps Deputy Leader grade. Each of the six operations bases maintains a mix of nuclear and conventional armaments specific to their geographic command's mission. For example, as a component of the Eastern Theater Command (responsible for

2600-439: The world. According to Pentagon estimates, this includes 1,200 conventionally armed short-range ballistic missiles , 200 to 300 conventional medium-range ballistic missiles and an unknown number of conventional intermediate-range ballistic missiles , as well as 200-300 ground-launched cruise missiles . Many of these are extremely accurate, which would allow them to destroy targets even without nuclear warheads. The Bulletin of

2652-616: Was established on 1 July 1966 and made its first public appearance on 1 October 1984. The headquarters for operations is located at Qinghe , Beijing . The PLARF is under the direct command of the Chinese Communist Party 's Central Military Commission (CMC). The PLARF comprises approximately 300,000 personnel and six ballistic missile "Bases" (units at roughly corps or army group grade), plus 3 support Bases in charge of storage, engineering, and training respectively. The six operational Bases are independently deployed in

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2704-541: Was thought to be an odd decision to replace the Rocket Force commander with military personnel from outside the branch, and this led to concerns about the security, credibility, and integrity of the PLA as well as its participation in China's military tactics during the Taiwan Strait conflict. On 25 September 2024 at 00:44 UTC , the PLARF performed its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test over

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