Last Updated:
Weighing 80,000 kg and 22m long, China’s DF-41 can launch from silos, roads, or rails, carrying multiple warheads, making it the PLA Rocket Force’s most advanced weapon
The DF-41 can be launched from silos, roads, and rails, giving China the ability to target much of the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. (AP/File)
BrahMos is regarded as one of the most effective cruise missiles in the world. It has reportedly showcased its might during India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. But in the race for long-range capabilities, China’s DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile stands unmatched.
With a striking range of 12,000 kilometers and equipped with multiple independently targetable warheads, the DF-41 is considered the most advanced strategic weapon in the arsenal of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force.
Recommended Stories
DF-41 Covers US, Europe And Asia In Its Strike Range
DF-41, which began development in 1986 and entered service in 2017, was publicly displayed for the first time in 2019. The missile was tested in the Southern Ocean in September 2024, proving its long-range capability. Weighing approximately 80,000 kg and measuring 22 metres in length, the DF-41 can be launched from silos, roads, and rails, giving China the ability to target much of the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa strategically.
Key Features of China’s DF-41 Missile
The technical specifications of DF-41 are impressive:
| Speciality | Description |
| Firepower | 12,000 – 15,000 kms |
| Motion | Mach 25 (~31,425 km/h) |
| Weight | About 80,000 kilograms |
| Length | About 22 meters |
| Diameter | About 2.25 meters |
| Warhead capability | 8 x 250 kiloton or 10 x 150 kiloton MIRVs |
| Guidance System | Inertial, Starlatt Updates, BeiDou Satellite System |
| Launch Platform | Silo, road-mobile TEL, rail-mobile |
High-End Capabilities Of The Nuclear-Powered DF-41
Equipped with nuclear capability, DF-41 competes with America’s Minuteman and Russia’s Sarmat missiles. According to experts, this missile not only enhances China’s defence capabilities but also impacts international security and nuclear balance. China plans to manufacture 50 to 100 units of DF-41, further strengthening its global strategic position. This missile is a crucial element of China’s nuclear deterrent strategy, capable of projecting power globally with its long range, high speed, and independently targeted warhead capacity.
- Location :
China
Loading comments…
Read More
