China can now fire missiles three times faster after enlisting ROBOTS to launch warheads as tensions between Beijing and Washington grow over North Korea
Chinese scientists claim they have developed an automated missile system
Robots could move and load missiles and halve the number of soldiers needed
A propaganda video from Beijing claimed China owns 2,500 ballistic missiles
Trump has attacked China over claim it’s secretly supplying oil to North Korea
By TRACY YOU and JULIAN ROBINSON
DAILYMAIL.COM
2 January 2018
The Chinese armies are now able to use robots to fire ballistic missiles after successfully developing an automated launching system, Chinese military media claimed.
The advanced system would help China fire warheads three times faster and halve the number of soldiers involved.
The news emerged as tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated over the claims that China had allowed oil into North Korea, which violated a United Nations embargo. Beijing has denied the allegations.
The robotic missile firing system was developed by China’s Rocket Force Research Centre, reported the People’s Daily Online, citing PLA Newspaper.
Apparently, the system was completed as early as last October and was described to be a ‘breakthrough’ for Chinese scientists.
Zhang Jingyong, a project leader, said that the system could reduce the time soldiers spend preparing the launch by half. In addition, by using robots to load the missiles on the battlefield, only half as many soldiers are needed compared to before, and they could fire missiles three times faster.
Just days before the Chinese scientists revealed the robotic missile system, China’s state broadcaster CCTV aired never-before-seen footage of 10 Dongfeng missiles being fired during a drill.
The missiles have been identified as DF-15, a type of short-range missile that can reportedly travel at a speed of up to 2,000 metres (1.4 miles) per second.
A propaganda video from Beijing claimed in July that China owns about 2,500 ballistic missiles.
Beijing’s next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile, Dongfeng-41, or DF-41, could allegedly strike anywhere in the world with nuclear warheads. It’s expected to be ready during the first half of next year.
The missile is 16.5 meters (54 feet) long with a diameter of 2.78 meters (9.1 feet).
Previous reports have claimed that the missile has a range of at least 7,500 miles (12,000km) and could carry up to 10 nuclear warheads.
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