China Marks 60 Years of Missile Forces with Hypersonic Debut

China’s strategic missile forces celebrated their 60th anniversary on July 1, 2026, with state media publishing an extensive retrospective that highlighted the evolution of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) from a secretive nuclear deterrent into a modern, diversified strategic strike arm. The anniversary coverage coincided with the first-ever public release of operational field footage of the DF-17 hypersonic missile system, a carefully calibrated strategic communication exercise aimed at demonstrating operational readiness.

From Second Artillery to Rocket Force

On July 1, 1966, the Second Artillery Corps of the PLA was formally established as a historic response to nuclear threats and the need to break the nuclear monopoly of major powers. As Xinhua News reported, the force was built on the dedication of personnel who embraced the motto: “Be unknown names, do earth-shaking deeds.” Decades of quiet development followed, culminating in a major restructuring on December 31, 2015, when President Xi Jinping personally presented the military flag to the newly renamed Rocket Force, elevating it from an independent branch to a full service branch.

The anniversary retrospective detailed key milestones in the force’s history, including the first successful launch of the “Dongfeng-1” missile in 1960, the 1980 full-range test of the DF-5 intercontinental ballistic missile into the South Pacific, and the 2024 launch of an ICBM with a training simulated warhead into the Pacific Ocean — China’s first such test in 44 years.

DF-17 Hypersonic Missile Shown in Combat Conditions

The most significant development to emerge from the anniversary coverage was the unprecedented release of operational footage showing the DF-17 hypersonic missile system maneuvering through desert terrain and conducting vertical launch operations under field conditions. According to Defence Security Asia, the footage — broadcast by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV — showed road-mobile DF-17 transporter-erector-launchers operating in realistic deployment scenarios, emphasizing tactical mobility and survivability.

The DF-17, which carries the DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle, is estimated to have an operational range of 1,800 to 2,500 kilometers. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles that follow predictable trajectories, hypersonic glide vehicles can execute abrupt directional maneuvers during terminal approach, significantly complicating interception by missile defense systems such as Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense or THAAD. TheDefenseWatch.com noted that the disclosure also included imagery of an upgraded DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile, further underscoring Beijing’s investment in long-range precision strike capabilities.

Modernization and Strategic Transformation

The anniversary coverage emphasized the Rocket Force’s transformation under the strategic requirement of “dual nuclear-conventional capability,全域慑战” (comprehensive deterrence across all domains). State media highlighted the force’s shift from fixed-site launches to mobile, random-launch operations, with new missile types featuring higher intelligence, stronger mobility, and more precise strikes that break limitations of geography, terrain, and weather.

At the September 2025 Victory Day parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, multiple missile systems were displayed, including the Changjian-1000, DF-17, DF-26D, DF-61, DF-31, and DF-5C. The parade showcased a “Dongfeng family” that has grown larger while missiles have become smaller, more precise, and more capable of penetrating advanced defenses.

Regional Security Implications

The operational unveiling of the DF-17 carries significant implications for Indo-Pacific security dynamics. The missile’s engagement envelope places Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and major U.S. military installations in Okinawa within potential strike range. Together with the DF-26 — which can reach targets approximately 4,000 kilometers away, including Guam — these systems create a layered strike network designed to complicate adversary planning during regional contingencies.

Military commentator Du Wenlong stated during the CCTV segment that the footage demonstrated the Rocket Force’s ability to execute realistic combat training under complex operational conditions without relying upon fixed launch infrastructure vulnerable to pre-emptive strikes. This messaging directly supports China’s evolving anti-access and area-denial doctrine, which increasingly prioritizes survivability, mobility, and distributed strike operations.

A Force Transformed

The 60th anniversary marks a significant milestone for a force that has evolved from a small, secretive unit operating in the Gobi Desert into one of the world’s most capable missile forces. As Rocket Force officer Hou Changling noted in state media: “The changes of the times are in equipment performance, training models, and operational patterns; what remains unchanged is the original aspiration of loyalty, sword-sharpening, rigor, and dedication.”

Looking ahead, the continued modernization of China’s missile forces — particularly the operational maturation of hypersonic systems — is likely to remain a central focus for regional defense planners. The DF-17 footage has effectively transformed the missile from a parade symbol into a visible operational asset, signaling that China’s hypersonic capabilities have moved beyond the experimental stage and are ready for combat deployment.