China Looks To Boost Maritime Power

China's ambitions for a domestic aircraft carrier programme and its achievement of an initial operating capability (IOC) for the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) were both revealed in December 2010.

The DF-21D, based on the CSS-5 medium-range ballistic missile, is a two-stage weapon with an effective range of 810 n miles (1,500 km), according to the US Department of Defense's 2010 assessment of Chinese military power.

The ASBM has undergone extensive testing that Jane's understands has resulted in a status akin to what western services would call IOC, however it is unclear if the missile has actually completed overwater testing and US analysts believe that trials will continue for another several years.

China has spent considerable time and energy developing the DF-21D, which is believed to be a land-based, solid-propellant ASBM designed to accurately strike ships under way

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