China releases rare footage of DF-100 cruise missile to deter US

China has released rare footage of its mysterious DF-100 supersonic cruise missile in action, shedding new light on the specifications and mobility of the model believed to be a major deterrent for US warships and military bases in the region.

The blurred footage marked one of only a few public appearances the missile has made since its 2019 debut. In previous appearances, the missile has been obscured on its launch vehicle, making it difficult to analyse the technical specifications and operating model.

The only previous official footage of the model in action, lasting just two seconds, was released in 2019 by the PLA Rocket Force and later deleted.

CCTV shows video footage of the DF-100 as part of a documentary series. Photo: CCTV

The latest footage of the model, a two-minute segment, is part of the fifth and final episode of a People’s Liberation Army documentary aired on Tuesday.

State media, including China News Service and an account affiliated with state news agency Xinhua, later shared the footage under the headline “Rare public release of DF-100 cruise missile launch video”, confirming the weapon model.

The programme was among commemorations for the PLA’s 98th anniversary. The People’s Liberation Army will also conduct a massive parade in Beijing on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s triumph over Japan in the second world war and the global victory against fascism.

Last week’s clip showed a rocket force brigade conducting a cable communications exercise that began before dawn and included a scenario in which enemy forces attempted full-spectrum jamming, requiring the unit to rapidly establish a wired communications link before launch.

South China Morning Post