Photos first published Feb. 29, 2012 on the internet show China’s new DF-26c intermediate-range ballistic missile that could launch nuclear warheads at targets 2000 miles out. Well within striking distance of US Marine Base in Guam with over 5000 troops stationed there.
A new report seems to confirm the deployment of new Chinese intermediate range nuclear missiles within striking distance of Guam. This is apparently in reaction to the earlier deployment of US THAAD anti missile systems in Guam – which China considers a direct threat to its national security interests in the Asia Pacific region.
According to the article:
“U.S. intelligence agencies recently confirmed China’s development of a new intermediate-range nuclear missile (IRBM) called the Dongfeng-26C (DF-26C), U.S. officials said.
The new missile is estimated to have a range of at least 2,200 miles—enough for Chinese military forces to conduct attacks on U.S. military facilities in Guam, a major hub for the Pentagon’s shift of U.S. forces to Asia Pacific.
As part of the force posture changes, several thousand Marines now based in Okinawa will be moved to Guam as part of the Asia pivot.
In April, the Pentagon announced it is deploying one of its newest anti-missile systems, the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to Guam because of growing missile threats to the U.S. island, located in the South Pacific some 1,600 miles southeast of Japan and 4,000 miles from Hawaii.
And on Feb. 10, the Navy announced the deployment of a fourth nuclear attack submarine to Guam, the USS Topeka.
Chinese military officials said the Topeka deployment is part of the Pentagon’s Air Sea Battle Concept and posed a threat to China” (Source: China Fields New Intermediate-Range Nuclear Missilehttp://freebeacon.com/china-fields-new-intermediate-range-nuclear-missile/).
We contacted the Director of National Intelligence office in Washington D.C. who refused to comment on the deployment of Chinese Dongfeng 26 c missile deployments. Likewise the Pentagon press office refused comment as well.
Unconfirmed rumors suggest that China may be developing a “next-generation ICBM, known as the DF-41, with 12,000-14,000 km range, armed with single, 3, 6, or even 10 MIRV warheads.
The DF-41 has yet to be displayed in public and may or may not be represented in the latest deployment of missiles targeting Guam and American forces in the region. The Pentagon refused comment.
The Chinese embassy in Washington D.C. also refused comments in this matter.
See related article: Should the U.S. Move the Marines to Guam?
The U.S. needs to rethink the way it defines the contribution the Marines make to its rebalance. Read more here: http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/should-the-u-s-move-the-marines-to-guam/