China’s Deadly Surprise: 100+ Hypersonic DF-31 Missiles Deployed Near Mongolia, Pentagon Report Reveals Beijing’s Growing Nuclear Arsenal | World News

New Delhi: China has deployed more than 100 DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at three newly constructed silo sites near the border with Mongolia, according to an unpublished Pentagon draft report. Capable of rapid launch, these solid-fuel missiles are designed to evade most air defense systems, underscoring Beijing’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its nuclear capabilities.

The Pentagon has previously reported the construction of these silo sites, but the new assessment provides the first estimates of the number of missiles deployed. China’s nuclear arsenal, estimated to reach nearly 600 warheads by 2024, could exceed 1,000 by 2030. Beijing says its nuclear policy follows the “No First Use” doctrine, which aims for only minimum deterrence.

DF-31 Missile at a Glance

The DF-31 (Dong Feng-31, NATO designation CSS-10) is China’s third-generation road mobile ICBM. Introduced in 2006, this missile is a three-stage, solid-fuel missile that can hit targets at large distances.

The base DF-31 has a range of 7,000 to 8,000 kilometers, while the DF-31A and DF-31AG variants reach between 11,000 and 11,700 kilometers, covering most of the continental United States.

The missile has a length of approximately 13 to 15 meters, a diameter of 2 meters, and a launch weight of approximately 42,000 kilograms. Solid-fuel propulsion allows rapid launch with minimal preparation time.

The DF-31 is equipped with a single nuclear warhead of up to 1 megaton, and some variants feature Multiple Independent Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV), allowing a single missile to hit multiple targets.

Guided by an inertial navigation system, the missile achieves an accuracy of 100 to 300 meters. It can be launched from road-borne mobile carrier assembly ramps as well as from newly constructed silos.

It adds terrain mobility, enhanced survivability and penetration aids such as dummy warheads designed to evade missile defense systems, making it a formidable component of China’s growing strategic arsenal.

Experts say deployment in silos increases protection against possible initial attacks and makes China’s missiles more resilient. The DF-31 family could target the United States, Europe, and large parts of Asia, posing a strategic challenge to global stability.

While the United States and its allies continue to monitor these developments closely, Beijing has so far issued no official response regarding the new deployments. Analysts warn that this increase in China’s nuclear capacity could have far-reaching consequences for regional and global security.