Chinese Dongfeng-26 ballistic missile commissioned.

The Dongfeng-26 ballistic missile has been commissioned into the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, said Wu Qian, spokesperson with China's Defense Ministry, on Thursday 26 April.

The DF-26C is an IRBM with a range of at least 3,500 km (2,200 miles) (Picture source: China.org)

The new medium- and long-range ballistic missile was completely developed by the Chinese and will serve for nuclear strikes in short notice and conventional precision strikes, against targets on land and large- and medium-sized warships, Wu said at a press conference. "China has not changed its defensive nuclear strategy nor the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons," he said.

The DF-26C is an IRBM with a range of at least 3,500 km (2,200 miles), far enough to reach U.S. naval bases in Guam. Few details are known, but it is believed to be solid-fuelled and road-mobile, allowing it to be stored in underground bunkers and fired at short notice, hence difficult to counter. It is possible that the DF-26C is a follow-up version of the DF-21. Possible warheads include conventional, nuclear or even maneuverable anti-ship and hypersonic warheads.