DF-5C

China's newest heavy, liquid-fuelled, silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile, intended to preserve a high-yield strategic strike option within the expanding PLA Rocket Force arsenal.

Overview

The DF-5C, or Dong Feng-5C, is the latest known version of China's two-stage, liquid-fuelled DF-5 intercontinental ballistic missile. The United States identifies it as the CSS-4 Mod 4. It is a silo-based strategic weapon operated by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and was first displayed publicly during China's Victory Day parade in Beijing on 3 September 2025. The Federation of American Scientists assessed the parade configuration as consistent with a heavy missile carrying a single multi-megaton warhead, rather than treating Chinese-media claims of a large multiple-warhead payload as established fact.

The DF-5C retains a liquid-propellant architecture while China expands its newer solid-fuel DF-31 and DF-41 forces. Its continued development indicates that Beijing values the DF-5 family's large payload and high-yield counter-value role despite the readiness and survivability disadvantages associated with fixed silos and liquid propulsion. Public estimates of its range vary substantially: Chinese state-media commentary has claimed more than 20,000 km and global coverage, while other accounts place the DF-5 family above 12,000 km. Its actual range, accuracy, deployed inventory and warhead configuration are not publicly established.

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