World · India Bureau
China demonstrates anti-ship missile capability in latest military display
China has released video footage showing its DF-26B ballistic missile destroying a target simulating a U.S. aircraft carrier, in what analysts view as a show of military strength amid rising tensions over Taiwan.
LSN India ·
The Chinese military conducted the test in Xinjiang region, showcasing the DF-26B's capacity to strike large naval vessels at extended ranges. The missile, which has an operational range exceeding 4,000 kilometers, is designed to target aircraft carriers and other capital ships operating in the Indo-Pacific region.
China's release of the test video comes as military tensions remain elevated across the Taiwan Strait and the broader Asia-Pacific. Defense analysts have characterized the DF-26B as a "carrier killer" weapon system, reflecting its specific design parameters for targeting high-value naval assets.
The demonstration underscores Beijing's expanding military capabilities and its willingness to openly display advanced weapons systems. The move signals to regional powers and extra-regional actors China's confidence in its military technological advancement and its determination to maintain strategic deterrence.
Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has expressed concern over Beijing's military buildup. The United States, which maintains a security commitment to the self-governed island, has continued freedom of navigation operations in the region despite Chinese warnings.