Quick Facts

Overview

China is currently developing and testing the Dong Feng-17 medium range ballistic missile. The DF-17 is the first missile designed for the operational deployment of a hypersonic glide vehicle by the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF).[i]Not all its details are available, but parts of the U.S. intelligence community estimate its range to be between 1,800 and 2,500 kilometers.[ii]It is also believed that the missile is heavily based on the DF-16B short-range ballistic missile.[iii]

Two test flights of the DF-17 have been reported, the first on November 1, 2017 and a subsequent test on November 15, 2017. During the November 1 test, the missile successfully flew 1,400 kilometers with the hypersonic glide vehicle. The impact was reported to be within meters of the intended target.[iv]

Strategic Implications

The DF-17 will be strategically valuable for the PLARF when it is made operational as it will be the only hypersonic capable missile in its arsenal until the DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle is also made operational. This provides the PLARF with a missile that is highly capable against existing missile defenses and sensors. With its range, the DF-17 could reach South Korea and Japan, challenging their missile defense systems.[v]

Recent News

References

[i]https://thediplomat.com/2017/12/introducing-the-df-17-chinas-newly-tested-ballistic-missile-armed-with-a-hypersonic-glide-vehicle/

[ii]Ibid.

[iii]Ibid.

[iv]Ibid.

[v]https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2127144/chinas-hi-tech-missile-ambitions-are-marching-ahead