China has commissioned DF-17 and DF-26 missiles in large numbers, says Chinese Defense Military

In a press briefing, Chinese Defense Ministry’s spokesperson has said that, “China has commissioned DF-17 and DF-26 missiles in large numbers”.

This deployment will pose a direct threat to India. The DF-26 has a range of 4,000km (2,485 miles) and can be used in nuclear or conventional strikes against ground and naval targets. According to South China Morning Post,

“Its dual-capable missile is a type of weapon banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty signed by the US and former Soviet Union towards the end of the Cold War. When the US withdrew from the treaty in 2020, it cited China’s deployment of such weapons as justification.”