China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August, demonstrating a new space capability, the Financial Times has reported.
The report says that the missile, whose launch was kept a secret by China, circled the globe before cruising towards its target, though it missed its mark by around 38 km. The test showed that China has made astounding progress on hypersonic weapons and was far more advanced than US officials believed.
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FT went on to add that China generally announces the launch of its Long March rockets — the type used to launch the hypersonic glide vehicle into orbit — but it concealed the August launch.
Multiple countries, including US, Russia and China, are developing hypersonic missiles which travel at a speed five times faster than that of sound. Though slower than ballistic missiles, they are harder to intercept and can be manoeuvred.
According to the report, two people familiar with the Chinese test said the weapon could, in theory, fly over the South Pole. “That would pose a big challenge for the US military because its missile defence systems are focused on the northern polar route, the FT report added.
The developments come in the backdrop of growing US-China rivalry, Chinese pressure on Taiwan, and its year-long standoff with Indian forces in eastern Ladakh.
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Though there was no official reaction from the US or Indian governments on this new turn of events, strategic experts in India say more information is needed before India can be “too worried”.