China's ability to develop weapons to hit Taiwan
(Baonghean.vn) - On January 9, the People's Liberation Army Daily (PLA) published photos and footage of test launches of what are believed to be short- to medium-range ballistic missiles, but did not specify the time and location of the tests, only stating that the tests were conducted at different locations.
 |
| PLA test-fires what is believed to be a short- to medium-range missile. Photo: AP |
According to Chinese military observers, the missiles appear to be mobile launcher-launched missiles of the DF-11 or DF-16 type, with a range of 600 km to 1,000 km.
Analysts say the DF-16 is an upgraded version of the DF-11 surface-to-air missile and is capable of conducting precision strikes against Taiwan. The missile has been deployed in the Eastern Theater Command, which oversees the East China Sea and the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The DF-16, along with the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missile, was publicly displayed at a military parade in Beijing in 2015, marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Previously, the PLA Daily reported that the army has been conducting regular drills in response to Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for combat readiness./.