[Jane's Defence: China Displays Upgraded DF-26 and New Configuration of DF-17]
According to a report published on June 23, 2026, by Jane’s Defence Weekly (Janes), a British defense publication, China has recently unveiled a previously unseen ballistic missile system, which is suspected to be an upgraded version of the medium-range ballistic missile known as the DF-26.
On June 20, footage broadcast by China's official media outlet CCTV showed that the missile had added control fins near its warhead. These fins may enable terminal-phase maneuverability, allowing the missile to adjust its flight path in both horizontal and vertical planes. This enhancement would significantly improve its capability to strike moving targets and increase its effectiveness in penetrating existing missile defense systems.
CCTV did not disclose specific performance parameters of the missile. As the baseline model, the DF-26 is a road-mobile medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a range of approximately 4,000 kilometers.
The CCTV footage also included the first televised live launch of what appears to be the operational DF-17 missile. Notably, this missile features a previously unseen bicone-shaped configuration and is mounted on the DF-17’s transport-erect-launch (TEL) vehicle.
The DF-17 is a road-mobile medium-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). It has been in service with the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force since 2020, with an estimated range of about 1,800 kilometers, and is believed to possess both conventional and nuclear strike capabilities.
CCTV reported that these systems were demonstrated during joint military exercises involving the PLA Rocket Force, Army, and Air Force in the northwestern Gobi Desert. The report emphasized that the drill showcased the latest missile systems of the Rocket Force, featuring improvements in automation, mobility, accuracy, and penetration capabilities.
The report also noted that during the exercise, missile units conducted simulated strikes under complex battlefield conditions and evaluated their ability to adapt to changing mission requirements. Furthermore, these systems are being configured to reduce reliance on fixed launch sites, enabling more flexible deployment.
Disclaimer: The equipment data above is sourced from reports on Jane’s Defence Weekly website.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868777154503691/
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