Overview
- China Central Television reported on Nov. 5, 2026 that the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force has begun using the Dongfeng-61 intercontinental ballistic missile in routine training.
- State media also publicly displayed several Dongfeng-series systems, including the DF-61 and the long‑range DF-100, during a Rocket Force anniversary observance in Beijing.
- A military analyst quoted by CCTV said the DF-61 moved from its public debut at the September 2025 parade to regular drills faster than typical ICBM timelines and that this improves survivability and ability to penetrate defenses.
- Social media posts and temporary flight restrictions prompted speculation of an inland ICBM test and a possible ground-based mid-course interception, but neither the PLA nor independent trackers have confirmed such activity.
- Technical claims about the DF-61’s guidance upgrades and extended range appear in some reports but lack independent verification, and the development could prompt closer foreign monitoring and diplomatic concern over strategic stability.