The recent move by China to hold an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, which Beijing claimed was a "routine arrangement in our annual training plan" had raised concerns about how China is accelerating its nuclear build-up.
The ICBM, with a dummy warhead, launched by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force is rumoured to be a DF-31AG, a modern variant of China's Dong Feng-31 (DF-31), developed by the China Aerospace Science Corporation (CASC) and the Tai’an Special Vehicle Company. China reportedly had publicly displayed DF-31AG in 2017. The country has three DF-31AG brigades as of 2020.
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However, this may not be China's most advanced missile. With a range of 12,000-15,000 km, a payload capacity of 2,500 kg, and the ability to deliver multiple warheads to different targets simultaneously, the fourth-generation DF-41 of the Dongfeng (meaning 'east wind') missile series—a highly advanced variant of China's ICBM—is being hailed as the most advanced missile possessed by Beijing.
Some social media users had suggested that China may have tested DF-41 and not DF-31AG.
The development of DF-41 began in July 1986 and the first flight test was conducted in 2012. A second test was held in 2013, and a year later, China tested it again. Multiple reports suggest that China may have tested DF-41 six to eight times.
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DF-41 was first showcased at a military parade in 2019, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The missile reportedly entered limited production in 2019.
According to a Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance report, DF-41—which is being developed as rail-mobile system, making it harder for intelligence agencies to track the missile moments—is capable of targetting much of the continental US and can carry as many as 10 Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) with nuclear warheads.
