Amid US-China Tensions, Chinese Media Showcases Advanced Dongfeng Aircraft Carrier Killer Nuclear Missiles

In an apparent warning to the U.S. at a time when tensions in the region are at their peak, state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) has showcased the most powerful strategic nuclear-capable weapons of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in a documentary series to mark the country's National Day.

The eight-part documentary series, which aired on CCTV "over the past week," showcased anti-aircraft carrier DF-21D and DF-26B ballistic missiles as well as new-generation DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), which are all part of the Dongfeng series, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

With a range of over 1,200 miles (around 2,000 kilometers), the DF-21 is a medium-range, road-mobile ballistic missile system described as the most advanced in the series. Meanwhile, the DF-21D, capable of carrying multiple warheads, is billed as the world's first anti-ship ballistic missile.

The DF-26 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a range of 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers). It can be used in nuclear or conventional strikes against ground and naval targets. Moreover, it is China's first conventionally-armed ballistic missile that's capable of striking the U.S. base in Guam and can be used as a nuclear-armed system "that can conduct precision strikes."

The anti-ship missiles would pose a great threat to the U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups in the region. China has set up new missile brigades based in its eastern and southern theater commands, focusing on security in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, a Chinese military source said, as per the outlet.

Meanwhile, the third missile in the series showcased in the CCTV documentary series is the DF-41. It is a road-mobile ICBM with an operational range of over 9,300 miles (up to 15,000 kilometers) and is considered the world's longest-range missile that surpasses that of the U.S.' LGM-30 Minuteman, having a reported range of 13,000 kilometers. The DF-41 is capable of carrying up to 10 independently-targeted nuclear warheads (MIRV) that can hit any target on the U.S. mainland or Europe.

The CCTV documentary series aired in celebration of the 73rd founding anniversary of the PLA and showed at least a dozen DF-26B missiles with launchers, which is equal to an entire missile brigade, according to SCMP.

"Showcasing Dongfeng series strategic weapons is a subtle warning to the United States, which is instigating other countries to put on pressure on Beijing over the Taiwan issue," Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor, said, according to the outlet.

Amid the rising tensions between Taiwan and China and following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taipei visit in August, Beijing ordered several days of military drills, during which it fired several ballistic missiles from the Dongfeng series into the waters around Taiwan's northeast and southwest.