The rocket fired from a strategic nuclear submarine
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has “successfully” test-fired a strategic missile from a submarine. Xinhua reports.
The PLA Navy said that at noon, a Navy strategic nuclear submarine successfully launched a strategic missile equipped with a dummy warhead towards the international waters of the Pacific Ocean, where the missile landed precisely within the designated waters.
As reported by The Australian, China has informed the government in Canberra of its intention to carry out a test of a new missile with a dummy warhead in the South Pacific within the next 24 hours. According to the Australian media, the warning was sent by the Chinese embassy in Canberra shortly after the signing of the Ocean of Peace Alliance defense agreement between Australia and Fiji. New Zealand would also have been informed in advance of the launch. Sources cited by The Australian interpret the timing of the test as a possible response to strengthening Australian strategic cooperation in the Pacific, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is engaged in a diplomatic mission to the region.
This is China’s second publicly announced missile test in the Pacific in less than two years, following one in September 2024, when Beijing said it had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile with a simulated warhead as part of its annual training program.
