DF-61

DF-61
DF-61
	DF-61 missile at the 2025 Victory Day Parade
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	2025–present
Used by	People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Specifications
Operational; range	~12,100–18,000 kilometres (7,500–11,200 mi)
Launch; platform	Transporter erector launcher;

The Dongfeng-61 (simplified Chinese: 东风-61; traditional Chinese: 東風-61; lit. 'East Wind-61', DF-61) is an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the People’s Republic of China. It is likely nuclear-armed and may be a variant or successor to the DF-41.

Description

The DF-61 is a road-mobile missile and is likely nuclear-armed.^[1]^[2] The transporter erector launcher is seemingly identical to the one used by the DF-41; the DF-61 may be a variant^[1] or successor to the DF-41.^[2] Reported ranges include 7,500 miles (12,100 km) - similar to the DF-41^[3]- and 18,000 kilometres (11,000 mi)^[2]

History

The missile made its first official public appearance during the 2025 China Victory Day Parade as part of the nuclear missile section. A Federation of American Scientists article described the appearance of the DF-61 as a "surprise" since it seemed similar to the DF-41, a missile already deployed at the time.^[1]

Earlier "DF-61" program

The "DF-61" designation was used by a tactical nuclear missile development program from 1976-1977.^[4] It was a response to North Korea's interest to acquire 600 km range missiles from China, although no agreement was made.^[5] Development began as a counter to the Soviet Union. The decision not to emphasize tactical weapons in the nuclear weapons program probably ended development.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Kristensen, Hans M.; Eliana Johns; Matt Korda; Mackenzie Knight-Boyle (4 September 2025). "Nuclear Weapons At China's 2025 Victory Day Parade". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Chinese military parade highlights rapid progress towards modernisation". Janes. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
^ Sabbagh, Dan (3 September 2025). "Nuclear triad and 'robot wolves': parade shows off array of Chinese weapons". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
^ Zhang 2025, p. 122.
^ Zhang 2025, pp. 122–123.
^ Zhang 2025, p. 123.

Sources

Zhang, Hui (2025). The Untold Story of China's Nuclear Weapon Development and Testing: A Technical History. Belfer Center Studies in International Security. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-05182-8.