Nuclear Missile That Can Reach US In 30 Minutes May Be Unveiled At Chinese Parade

China is slated to showcase its military arsenal in a parade marking the 70th anniversary of the Communist Party this week, with speculations that a nuclear-powered missile having the capability to reach the United States in 30 minutes set to be displayed.

According to Chinese Media, The Dongfeng 41, which is a weapon in the new series, will be unveiled at the parade along with supersonic drones and a robot submarine. 15,000 troops, at least 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of military equipment will be part of the parade which will take place on Tuesday.

“Please wait and see,” Ministry of Defense spokesman Maj. Gen. Cai Zhijun told media outlets when asked whether the Dongfeng 41 would be a part of the parade.

No official details have been released about Dongfeng 41. However, it may have the world’s longest-range at 9,400 miles, the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington said.

The DF 41, which flies at 25 times the speed of light can reach the United States in 30 minutes with as much as 10 different warheads, analysts said. The warheads can target separate targets with the MIRV (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles) technology.

The world’s biggest army is getting closer to matching Washington in terms of military power and weapons technology, and Tuesday’s parade is expected to highlight the same. It is also seen as a chance to strengthen China’s hold over Hong-Kong as well as send out a warning to Taiwan and as many believe to the U.S.

“There are quite a lot of observers, including the U.S. military, who say, ‘This is getting close to what we do,’ and they are starting to worry,” Siemon Wezeman from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said.

It has become increasingly important for Beijing to showcase its power due to recent struggles in its bid to control disputed South China Sea and other shared shipping lanes. The new weapons would send out a warning message to adversaries of People’s Liberation Army around the globe.

While striving to improve its nuclear deterrent to a minimum standard, Beijing has said that it would not be the first to fire atomic weapons in a conflict.