New Delhi: China’s military launched a ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead from a nuclear-powered submarine on Monday. The missile was fired at 12.01pm China Standard Time (9.31am IST) and landed in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean. Beijing called the launch a routine part of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) annual training programme.
China has tested submarine-launched missiles before, including JL-3 developmental trials in 2018 and 2019. But this is the first time it has sent one on a full long-range flight into the Pacific since 1982, and the first time it has done from a nuclear-powered submarine.
China has not named the submarine involved, but analysts believe it was likely a Type 094 (Jin-class) vessel, of which China is estimated to operate at least six. These submarines are armed with JL-2 missiles and potentially the longer-range JL-3. Beijing is also developing a more advanced Type 096 submarine.
The US state department said China gave only a few hours notice. It also said Beijing shared insufficient detail before the launch and fell short of the transparency standards followed by other recognized nuclear powers. Japan cited concerns over China’s expanding military activity and Australia called the test destabilizing. New Zealand and Papua New Guinea were also notified in advance.
The test also came just hours after Australia and Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance on Monday, a new regional defence agreement. Analysts said the timing underlined the contrast between China’s expanding military reach and efforts by regional countries to strengthen their own security partnerships.
The launch coincides with the start of the annual China-Russia joint sea exercise, held from July 6–13 in the Yellow Sea near Qingdao. The drills involve warships and submarines from both navies conducting anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defence, and live-fire exercises, with joint Pacific patrols planned once the exercise ends.
First held in 2012, the exercise included submarines for the first time in 2025.
Analysts said the timing was significant as the test came just before the Nato summit, and while the US was militarily engaged in the Middle East. Taken together, the missile test and the naval exercise point to China’s growing confidence in its sea-based nuclear deterrent and deepening military coordination with Russia.