China has tested a new version of a ballistic missile that could reportedly carry a payload of 10 individual warheads at a time, a move that can bring a shift to its nuclear capabilities and put pressure on the US.
According to the Washington Free Beacon, the flight test of the Dongfeng-5C missile was conducted last month using 10 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. It was launched from the Taiyuan Space Launch Center in Shanxi province and flew to a desert in western China.
The test of the new variant of the DF-5, which is an intercontinental ballistic missile, was allegedly monitored closely by US intelligence firms, two sources familiar with the matter said.
"The [Defense Department] routinely monitors Chinese military developments and accounts for PLA capabilities in our defense plans," Commander Gary Ross, the Pentagon's spokesperson, said.
The development of the missile may signal a shift in China's nuclear deterrence policy as it appears to be changing its older rockets into new MIRV buses, a move that could indicate Beijing's intention to add more warheads. However, The Next Big Future noted that China's nuclear stockpile of 260 warheads is still far from the US' estimated 6,800.
China allegedly started adding warheads to older DF-5 missiles last February 2016. Its rapid development of long-range ballistic missiles has raised concern among US defense officials as it could bring uncertainty to stability in the region.
The DF-5C test comes amid growing tension between China and the US after Donald Trump officially assumed the presidency.
The DF-5C has a range of 12,000 kilometers and can carry up to 12 nuclear warheads.