Hypersonic 'Carrier Killer': China Unveils Its Deadliest Ballistic Missiles

© AP Photo / Elizabeth Dalziel, FileMilitary vehicle carrying a DF-21D carrier-killer missile, bottom, and other Chinese military vehicles head towards Tiananmen Square
Military vehicle carrying a DF-21D carrier-killer missile, bottom, and other Chinese military vehicles head towards Tiananmen Square - Sputnik International
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China's newest and deadliest weapons, including the most lethal ICBM in Beijing's arsenal and an aircraft carrier killer, could be spotted for the first time during a rehearsal for the military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

China's newest and deadliest weapons, including the most lethal ICBM in Beijing's arsenal and an aircraft carrier killer, could be spotted for the first time during a rehearsal for the military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

"Look out, China military watchers. Beijing seems to have displayed some of its most impressive missile technology – technology that would be used to keep the US Navy at bay in the event of a military conflict. And if all works out, we might just get an up-close look in the days to come," defense analyst Harry Kazianis noted.

The USS Lassern launches a Tomahawk missile during an exercise with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. - Sputnik International
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The grand military spectacle scheduled for September 3 will feature China's cutting-edge armaments, including an array of missiles. In total, seven types of projectiles are expected to be paraded. Of particular interest are the DF-5 ICBM, the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile and the DF-21D anti-aircraft carrier ballistic missile.

The DF-5, also known as the Dongfeng 5, boasts a maximum range of over 9,300 miles. In service since 1980s, the DF-5s were upgraded to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) in 2015.

But it was the hypersonic DF-21D, dubbed "carrier-killer," that caught Kazianis' attention. Go no further to get a taste of what the missile is capable of:

The DF-21D "slams down on its target – an oceangoing vessel like an aircraft carrier – at speeds of Mach 10 to Mach 12. Most sources suggest the missile holds the ability to attack naval vessels up to approximately 1,000 miles away, outranging by many times the strike range of all US aircraft aboard existing carriers," the analyst wrote in an article titled "On Display: China's Master Plan to Sink the US Navy."

The DF-26, an upgraded version of the DF-21, is said to be capable of reaching the US island of Guam which hosts several American military installations.

Beijing is making a break with the traditions by displaying its best armaments. Until now the country refrained from showcasing what the Chinese media referred to as "sensitive" weaponry. The move exposes "China's greater confidence in its military strength … and [projects an image] of a responsible world power," high-ranking military official Shao Yongling told the Global Times.

© REUTERS / Damir SagoljSoldiers of China's People's Liberation Army attend a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China, August 22, 2015. Troops from at least 10 countries including Russia and Kazakhstan will join an unprecedented military parade in Beijing next month to commemorate China's victory over Japan during World War Two, Chinese officials said. The parade on September 3 will involve about 12,000 Chinese troops and 200 aircraft, Qi Rui, deputy director of the government office organizing the parade, told reporters in Beijing on Friday. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army attend a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China, August 22, 2015 - Sputnik International
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Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army attend a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China, August 22, 2015. Troops from at least 10 countries including Russia and Kazakhstan will join an unprecedented military parade in Beijing next month to commemorate China's victory over Japan during World War Two, Chinese officials said. The parade on September 3 will involve about 12,000 Chinese troops and 200 aircraft, Qi Rui, deputy director of the government office organizing the parade, told reporters in Beijing on Friday. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
© REUTERS / StringerParamilitary policemen and members of a gun salute team fire cannons during a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China, August 1, 2015. China will hold the parade on September 3, Picture taken August 1, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA
Paramilitary policemen and members of a gun salute team fire cannons during a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China - Sputnik International
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Paramilitary policemen and members of a gun salute team fire cannons during a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China, August 1, 2015. China will hold the parade on September 3, Picture taken August 1, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA
© AP Photo / Ng Han GuanChinese self propelled howitzers prepare to take part in rehearsals ahead of the Sept. 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015. China is ramping up publicity for its upcoming massive military parade but officials still aren't saying what other countries are taking part. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Chinese self propelled howitzers prepare to take part in rehearsals ahead of the Sept. 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 - Sputnik International
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Chinese self propelled howitzers prepare to take part in rehearsals ahead of the Sept. 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015. China is ramping up publicity for its upcoming massive military parade but officials still aren't saying what other countries are taking part. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army attend a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China, August 22, 2015. Troops from at least 10 countries including Russia and Kazakhstan will join an unprecedented military parade in Beijing next month to commemorate China's victory over Japan during World War Two, Chinese officials said. The parade on September 3 will involve about 12,000 Chinese troops and 200 aircraft, Qi Rui, deputy director of the government office organizing the parade, told reporters in Beijing on Friday. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
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Paramilitary policemen and members of a gun salute team fire cannons during a training session for a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War Two, at a military base in Beijing, China, August 1, 2015. China will hold the parade on September 3, Picture taken August 1, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA
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Chinese self propelled howitzers prepare to take part in rehearsals ahead of the Sept. 3 military parade to commemorate the end of World War II in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015. China is ramping up publicity for its upcoming massive military parade but officials still aren't saying what other countries are taking part. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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