China commands the world's most powerful land-based missile force, with unmatched range and strength. Constantly grappling with Taiwan, China seeks to annex the territory. With its arsenal, China could obliterate Taiwan in mere minutes, leaving both Taiwan and even the United States helpless to intervene.
Poised against Taiwan, this force is ready for action. The official name is the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF). Originally called the Second Artillery Corps, it was established 58 years ago showcasing China's strategic foresight.
This massive force boasts not just missiles but a formidable 300,000-strong workforce, skilled in managing tactical and strategic launches, and is equipped with 320 nuclear weapons, though the number of active arms remains undisclosed.
Within its ranks are ballistic and cruise missiles capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. This includes cutting-edge toys like the hypersonic glide vehicle, the Dongfeng-ZF (DF-ZF), truly a nightmare for any adversary.
Source: aajtak
1200 Short Range Ballistic Missiles Ready to Launch
The force features over 1200 SRBMs armed with traditional warheads. A wealth of 150-200 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) complements them. Notably, China has shown restraint in deploying its DF-ZF hypersonic missiles against Taiwan, mainly due to their massive speed range of 6173 to 12,360 km/hr— Taiwan just isn't far enough away to warrant their use.
ICBMs and IRBMs are overlooked for such purposes, given their extensive ranges. Against Taiwan, short-range ballistic missiles present themselves as China's most reliable asset. The arsenal includes DF-15C, DF-15B, DF-15A, and other variants ready to carry out precise strikes against Taiwan, numbering over 2000 but with approximately 1200 primed for action within the rocket force.
Source: aajtak
Massive Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM)
DF-41...
Ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 km, DF-41 leads China's arsenal, with 366 missiles available, 108 capable of carrying nuclear payloads.
DF-31...
Reaches 12,000 km, with 86 missiles equipped with 90 nuclear warheads.
DF-5...
Spans 12,000 to 15,000 km, available in A-B variations with 18 missiles and 66 nuclear weapons.
DF-4...
Covers 5,500 km, with over 6 missiles to its name.
Source: aajtak
Mastery in Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM)
DF-26...
China prides itself on having over 140 missiles with a 5,000 km range.
Powerful Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBM)
DF-21...
Ranges from 1,550 to 1,770 km with 54 missiles and 24 nuclear warheads.
DF-17...
Stretches from 1,800 to 2,500 km across 48 missiles; nuclear capabilities remain undisclosed.
DF-16...
Covers 800 to 1,000 km with 36 missiles.
Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM) - Precision at Close Quarters
DF-15...
Boasts a range of 600 to 900 km across 81 missiles.
DF-12...
Reaches 280 to 420 km.
DF-11...
Extends 300 to 600 km, with 108 missiles on standby.
B-611...
Offers a range of 480 km.
Cruise Missiles: A Stellar Arsenal Awaits
China houses 126 CJ-10 cruise missiles, capable of reaching over 1,500 km, ensuring long-range destruction lies ever at hand.
The ideal missile for a Taiwan scenario? Reportedly, the greatest prone to use, of course, are short-range missiles. Launch sites in Fujian and Guangdong provinces are ready to strike at the smallest provocation. Armed with DF-11A missiles, these bases can mount attacks from three sides, ensuring strategic advantage.
