Although China has not officially confirmed the model of the weapon tested, most Western analysts agree that most likely it was the JL-3 (Julang-3)a submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (SLBM) and what is the most advanced in the Chinese arsenal.

According to state media Chinathe missile carried a simulated warhead.

It was probably fired from a Type 094 nuclear-powered submarine.

A map shared Monday by Taiwan Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu It showed the missile flying near the island, the Philippines and Guam, and landing somewhere near Tonga.

The JL-3 has a range of more than 10,000 kilometers and is powered by solid fuelwhich reduces launch preparation time, facilitates long-term storage and increases reliability. These features strengthen the nuclear deterrent capability of Chinasince they make it more difficult to neutralize the missile before it is fired. The most modern nuclear weapons have all these qualities.

It is estimated that the JL-3 It can carry several independent nuclear warheads (MIRV). It is estimated that each nuclear warhead has a yield of between 250 and 1,000 kilotons

It has a length of approximately 13 metrosa diameter of 2 meters and its weight at the time of launch is about 42,000 kilos.

For its navigation it would use an astro-inertial guidance system combined with the BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, which It would allow it to maintain high precision even on intercontinental routes.

The missile It has an estimated circular margin of error in 100 metroswhich makes it extremely accurate for a missile of alcance intercontinental.

Thanks to their range of more than 10,000 kilometers, Chinese submarines no longer need to enter the open Pacific to threaten the continental United States. Instead, they can remain within the so-called “bastions”areas near the coast protected by the Chinese Navy, such as the South China Sea or the Bohai Gulf, from where the JL-3 could reach large areas of US territory.

Regarding its comparison with other powers, due to its characteristics, the JL-3 belongs to the same category as submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (SLBM) most advanced in the world. Its main reference is the Trident II D5 of USA considered the standard for this type of weapon due to its range of close to 12,000 kilometers, its high precision and its ability to carry multiple nuclear warheads.

In the case of Russiaits equivalent is RSM-56 Bulava also powered by solid fuel and designed to equip the Borei class strategic submarines.

China’s strategic message

To Carlos Aquinodirector of the Center for Asian Studies at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, the essay constitutes a show of force directed mainly at the United States and the Indo-Pacific countries, at a time of growing regional tension over Taiwan the rearmament of Japan and the strategic competition between the great powers of the planet.

Aquinas explains to The Commerce that Beijing’s main message is that it continues to modernize its Armed Forces and, especially, the maritime component of its nuclear arsenal, considered for years one of its weakest points.

“China wants to affirm that it continues to modernize its Armed Forces and, especially, the nuclear deterrent component”he claims.

He emphasizes that the ability to launch nuclear missiles from submarines represents a strategic leap because these platforms can remain hidden for long periods without being detected, guaranteeing a retaliatory capacity even if Chinese territory were attacked.

“China It is strengthening its ability to launch missiles from submarines that are silent and do not know where they are. That is the greatest strategic meaning: to say that it has the ability to respond from anywhere if it is attacked“indicates Aquino.

The analyst notes that the test coincided with the start of joint naval exercises between China and Russiaa context that, he says, reinforces the political signal sent by Beijing that it continues to strengthen its military cooperation with Moscow while accelerating the modernization of its nuclear force.

A top-level military power by 2049