By Levina

China carried out a rare test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into international waters after four decades, which lead to protests from neighbouring countries. Initially, experts concluded that it could have been DF-41 which was tested, but as more pictures of the launch emerged it seems China had tested a DF-31 variant.

On Wednesday, Beijing announced that the long-range missile was fired at 08:44 local time (04:44 GMT). It carried a dummy warhead and landed in the designated area -which was 12,000 Km away from the coast.

The various observations:

1. The missile was launched from Hainan. It targeted an area near French Polynesian islands in South Pacific.
2. As soon as the news of the ICBM emerged, most experts were of the opinion that it was a DF-41 which has a range of 12,000 Km+. DF-41 can carry 10 nuclear warheads. Ostensibly it was the range of the missile which caused the confusion.

3. Df-31 AG: Analysts now claim that it could be a DF-31 AG as “Looks somewhat consistent with a 31A/AG profile but considering the unknown launch apparatus, obscured site, and overall rare images of actual PLARF ICBMs themselves, who knows.”– said an OSINT id, Rick Joe. This was also echoed by others keeping a track on the test.

If it indeed is a DF-31 variant, it can only carry one warhead, unlike Df-41 which can carry upto 10 warheads.

The DF-31AG, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the DF-31B, is a modified version of the DF-31A featuring an upgraded launcher and reduced support needs. Its wheeled Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) is capable of navigating rough, unpaved terrain, enhancing its mobility for better dispersal and making it more difficult to target. The reduced support requirements also improve its operational readiness. As of 2020, there are three known DF-31AG brigades, comprising 36 launchers, located in the provinces of Lanzhou, Hunan, and Henan.

4. The test was being observed by Taiwan’s Leshan radar and a US RC reconnaissance aircraft from Japan’s Kadena Air Base.

5. The controversial spy ship, Yuan Wang-5, was near the site of missile’s expected landing. As the OSINT’s noted Yuan Wang-5 measuring complex ship of the PLA strategic support forces was involved in taking telemetry data from the missile flight. It was located 25 km south of the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Yuan wang series of ships are known to be keeping a tab on Indian missile tests too.

6. In the din of missile launch, some wondered the purpose behind China testing an ICBM in international waters. Ostensibly, the test was carried out to send a message to Japan which has been hand in glove with America in ring-fencing China in South China sea.

The above was gleaned from myriads of osint ids, ergo the veracity of information can not be confirmed.

Video of test conducted: