The Chinese Rocket Force tested the DF-26 missile during a recent night emergency training, which flew 4000 kilometers and hit the target.
According to the Military Channel of China Broadcasting Network, a missile brigade under the Chinese Rocket Army has just launched a night emergency training ‘under the background of actual combat’, and it conducted a complete simulation of fire strikes and rapid missile transfer and reloading missions, ensuring that the night combat capability was fully ‘tempered’. It is worth noting that the missile used in this exercise was DF-26 medium-range ballistic missile, which has attracted much attention from the outside world.
During this exercise, the Chinese Rocket Force also dispatched at least one unmanned aerial vehicle to assist the DF-26 missile to achieve precise targeting. Prior to this, military experts generally believed that the DF-26 is an advanced intermediate-range ballistic missile with multiple forms of compound guidance modes, capable of both ground strikes and precise anti-ship. In addition to the inertial guidance and satellite guidance of traditional ballistic missiles, DF-26 was believed to also have tactical data links connected to different weapons, and the ability to use precise guidance by tactical equipment such as drones, which undoubtedly enhances DF-26’s precision strike capability in the context of the complex battlefield. Even in the face of strong electromagnetic interference and electronic warfare confrontation, DF-26 missile is still possible to achieve precision strikes under the guidance of various forms of compound guidance modes. This time the UAV-assisted guidance mode has been undoubtedly confirmed by the official media of China.
Regarding the PLA’s test-firing of the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile, there has not yet been a clear response from the US military.
After the test of the DF-26 and DF-21D dual missiles in August 2020, it once caused a strong reaction and protest from the US military. Senior U.S. military generals stated that the southern waters are international seas that can be navigated freely, the PLA chose to test anti-ship ballistic missiles toward the southern waters at the time when the US aircraft carrier has just passed through, it was a display and threat of force that undermines regional peace and stability.