China has showcased its Dong Feng-17 ballistic missile on state TV, marking the first time it has been featured in official Chinese media. The medium-range missile is equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle, allowing it to fly at lower altitudes in unpredictable directions.
The move is seen as a response to Asia-Pacific military exercises by other countries, particularly the US-led 2026 Rim of the Pacific maritime military exercises near Hawaii. Analysts believe the broadcast aims to warn the US military that the DF-17 has the capability to cause significant damage in any war with China.
The DF-17's hypersonic glide vehicle gives it an edge in battle, making it harder to defend against, especially for large surface targets such as carriers and assault ships. The US is already developing systems similar to the DF-17, including the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon missile system.
