‘Chi tests intercontinental missile with 10 warheads’

Beijing, Feb 2: Chi has reportedly tested a new version of a missile capable of carrying a payload of 10 individual warheads, indicating a shift in Chi’s nuclear policy or an attempt to put pressure on the Trump administration. The flight test of the Dongfeng-5C missile was carried out in January using multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, or MIRVs, reported the Washington Free Beacon website, citing US defence sources. The missile, carrying 10 dummy warheads, was launched from the Taiyuan Space Launch Centre in Shanxi province, and flew to a desert in western Chi, the report said. Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross said in a statement the test was monitored.

“The (Defence Department) routinely monitors Chinese military developments and accounts for PLA capabilities in our defence plans,” Ross was quoted as saying by the website. (IANS)