INTELLIGENCE ALERT: China reveals DF-5B ICBM missile with 12,000 km range able to strike continental US.

According to information published by the X account of Li Zexin on June 3, 2025, China has publicly showcased the combat capabilities of its DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a key component of the country’s strategic nuclear deterrent. With a declared range of 12,000 km and a payload capacity estimated at 3 to 4 megatons of TNT, the DF-5B is capable of inflicting catastrophic destruction on any adversary. Its yield surpasses that of the atomic bombs used in World War II many times over, positioning the DF-5B as one of the most powerful weapons currently known in China's missile arsenal. The official reveal is seen as part of a broader effort by Beijing to project confidence in its military modernization efforts and deter potential threats.
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The Chinese DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missile during a display, capable of delivering multiple nuclear warheads over a 12000 km range, placing the entire continental United States within strike reach. (Picture source: Li Zexin X account)

The Chinese-made DF-5B ICBM (InterContinental Ballistic Missile) represents a significant evolution from the earlier DF-5 model, which was developed during the Cold War. The most crucial enhancement is the integration of MIRV, or Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle, technology. This advanced system enables a single missile to carry and release several nuclear warheads, each capable of striking a different target across wide geographic areas. While the original DF-5 was equipped with only one warhead, the DF-5B can reportedly carry six to ten, drastically increasing its strike capability. Each warhead reenters the atmosphere independently, making it extremely difficult for missile defense systems to intercept. This development not only boosts the DF-5B’s lethality but also greatly enhances its strategic deterrent value by forcing adversaries to counter multiple simultaneous threats from a single missile.

In terms of precision, the DF-5B is believed to incorporate a combination of inertial guidance and satellite-assisted navigation systems, offering significantly improved accuracy over its predecessors. This level of precision allows it to effectively target and destroy high-value assets such as military command centers, hardened bunkers, and critical infrastructure. The combination of high-yield warheads and improved accuracy makes the DF-5B a credible operational weapon, not just a deterrent. Its targeting systems and payload delivery mechanisms are likely enhanced through advanced reentry technology, giving it the ability to maintain trajectory control even during atmospheric descent.

From a combat standpoint, the DF-5B is a silo-based, liquid-fueled missile system. While the requirement for fueling prior to launch means it has a longer preparation time compared to solid-fueled systems like the DF-41, this is offset by its much larger payload capacity. The DF-5B can carry either a single, extremely powerful warhead or multiple MIRVs, depending on the mission requirement. Its liquid-fueled design allows for higher thrust and longer flight range, making it ideal for deep-strike missions. The silo-based deployment ensures a degree of protection against conventional strikes and enables secure housing in fortified locations deep inside Chinese territory.

The strategic implications for the United States are substantial. With a range of 12,000 km, the DF-5B is capable of striking any target within the continental U.S., including key military bases, urban centers, and critical infrastructure. This capability gives China a formidable second-strike option, ensuring its ability to retaliate even in the event of a surprise attack. The MIRV configuration complicates the U.S. missile defense architecture by requiring multiple intercepts for each launched missile, thereby saturating and potentially overwhelming systems such as Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) or Aegis BMD. This poses a significant challenge to U.S. homeland security and alters the calculus of nuclear deterrence.

This public unveiling comes during increasing military friction between the United States and China, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently emphasized the need to reposition American military forces and assets to counter China’s expanding missile capabilities and regional influence. The DF-5B’s emergence into public view appears to be a deliberate response to this shift, aimed at reinforcing China's commitment to maintaining strategic parity and deterring any perceived threats to its sovereignty. It also signals Beijing’s readiness to leverage its long-range strike capabilities as a core element of its national security doctrine.

The DF-5B is now positioned as a centerpiece of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force’s nuclear modernization program. It reflects the broader strategic ambitions of China’s defense establishment to field a survivable, reliable, and technologically advanced nuclear force. The missile’s combat features—its MIRV capability, extended range, enhanced payload, and precision targeting—underscore a deliberate effort by Beijing to shape the global strategic environment. As China continues to refine its deterrent posture, the DF-5B stands as a powerful symbol of its military resolve and the shifting balance of power in 21st-century nuclear strategy.