China test-fires submarine-launched ballistic missile into Pacific amid regional alarm

Concerns mount after a Chinese submarine test-fired a ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean.

Pacific island nations are facing a security challenge in responding to China’s recent missile launch near Tuvalu and keeping their vision of a region as an “ocean of peace”, as analysts say the diverse nature of their ties with Beijing is complicating efforts towards a united response. On July 6, China said one of its navy’s nuclear submarines launched a “strategic missile” carrying a dummy warhead towards “relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean”, describing the test as routine annual military...

China successfully tested an intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile on July 6, firing it from a nuclear-powered submarine and joining an elite club that includes the United States, Russia, Britain and France. These five nations are also the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Analysts believe the missile was fired from China’s Type 094 Jin-class nuclear-powered submarine armed with ballistic missiles (SSBN). Submarines in this category which have proven...

China’s missile test in the South Pacific of a nuclear-capable missile on July 22, 2026, has triggered widespread concern in the Indo-Pacific region. It also symbolized China’s capability to counter nuclear deterrence in the region, and challenged the regional nuclear restraint norms. China stated that the missile test was part of the annual routine military […]...Keep on reading: China’s missile test threatens regional stability

The dummy warhead was fired from a nuclear-powered submarine into the South Pacific.

On July 6, a Chinese strategic nuclear submarine fired a missile carrying a training dummy warhead into a designated area of the Pacific. Beijing described the launch as routine, said relevant countries had been notified and insisted that it targeted no state. The regional reaction was immediate, with Australia, Japan, the United States and Pacific nations raising concerns around insufficient notification and the politics of nuclear-free zones. Those reactions matter because they show how far...

China recenly test-fired a nuclear-capable missile from a submarine into the Pacific, the first such launch from a nuclear-powered vessel and the first submarine-based test since 1982.

China's test firing of the missile armed with a dummy warhead drew criticism from regional powers, with the US saying it was an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed in the Pacific Ocean.

China recently launched a long-range missile from a submarine into the South Pacific. This action demonstrated Beijing's growing nuclear power and strategic reach. The test aimed to send a message primarily to the United States. Pacific nations expressed concern over the provocative and destabilizing act. This event highlights China's ongoing military modernization efforts.

A Chinese nuclear-powered submarine test-fired a strategic, long-range ballistic missile carrying an inert dummy warhead directly into international open waters in Pacific Ocean.

A Chinese submarine test-fired a "strategic" missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, Beijing said, prompting immediate condemnation from nations in the region.

Australian prime minister says Beijing testing ‘a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile fired from a nuclear-powered submarine’ is a provocative act

China Test-Launches Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile In Pacific, Alarming Neighbors Via The Cradle The Chinese navy on Monday test-launched a strategic missile from a nuclear submarine in the Pacific Ocean in the framework of its annual military exercises. "At 12.01pm on July 6, a strategic nuclear submarine of China's People's Liberation Army Navy successfully launched a... strategic missile carrying a training simulation warhead into the relevant high seas of the Pacific Ocean," spokesperson Wang Xuemeng said in a statement posted on WeChat. via Reuters "This missile test launch is a routine arrangement of China's annual military training, and relevant countries were informed in advance," Wang stated, adding that the missile "accurately" landed in the designated area. China's official Xinhua News Agency said that the test was a "routine arrangement" within the framework of China's annual military exercises. Papua New Guinea's foreign minister and a New Zealand government source told AFP that China was preparing to test-fire a nuclear-capable ballistic missile. "Yes, China has briefed me. I was personally called by the Chinese ambassador," Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko stated. After Japan was notified, it strongly urged China to reconsider moving ahead with the test launch. "We strongly requested a reconsideration of this test launch of the ballistic missile to ensure that it does not pose a threat to Japan's security, particularly by passing through its airspace," according to a joint statement issued before the launch by Japan's ministries of defense and foreign affairs. The test launch came as China and Russia officially began their annual "Joint Sea-2026" naval exercises on Monday. The exercises are scheduled from 6 to 13 July and are taking place in the waters and airspace off the eastern Chinese port city of Qingdao. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (#PLA) Navy's test launch of a strategic missile by a submarine was a routine military training exercise. It was not targeted at any specific country or target. China notified relevant countries in advance, which is in line with international… pic.twitter.com/Jo7u9ti5P5 — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 6, 2026 The bilateral maneuvers aim to address regional security challenges and elevate military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. Russian state media reported that a cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine, and a rescue vessel from Russia's Pacific Fleet will participate in the drills. China's Northern Theater Command said that two destroyers, a frigate, a submarine, a supply ship, and a rescue vessel will participate. During a visit to Beijing in May, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Chinese and Russian military and economic cooperation "demonstrate strong momentum." Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the strong relationship between Beijing and Moscow. China and Russia on Monday launched the "Joint Sea-2026" exercise at a military port in Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province. #XinhuaNews pic.twitter.com/l6t3PNk3iD — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) July 6, 2026 "We have been able to continuously deepen our political mutual trust and strategic coordination with a resilience that remains unyielding despite trials and tribulations," Xi said. Both leaders warned against a global return to the “law of the jungle,” referring to the unprovoked US-Israeli war on Iran. Tyler Durden Tue, 07/07/2026 - 17:40

The long-range ballistic missile, carrying a dummy warhead, was fired from a nuclear-powered submarine on Monday during what Beijing described as routine annual military training.

China's recent submarine missile test in the Pacific drew sharp reactions from the United States and regional nations. The United States accused Beijing of rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and urged arms control talks. Several Indo-Pacific countries, including the Philippines and Taiwan, described the launch as destabilizing and provocative. Analysts view the test as a significant milestone in China's growing sea-based nuclear deterrent capability.

WASHINGTON — The United States voiced alarm Monday over Beijing’s nuclear program after China test-fired a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean, the latest move in its rapid military modernization. Monday’s test came two years after China fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the waters near French Polynesia, in what had been the first launch of such a missile over international waters in more than 40 years. Analysts said that the test demonstrated growing Chinese capacity to strike the mainland of the United States, which sees the Asian power as its top adversary despite a reconciliation drive under President Donald […]...Keep on reading: US leads int'l concern after China test-fires missile into Pacific

A People's Liberation Army Navy submarine launches a missile, carrying a dummy warhead, toward international waters in the Pacific

Senior Australian officials criticized China’s decision to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine in the Pacific Ocean, describing it as “destabilizing” and expressing concern to Beijing.

A Chinese nuclear-powered submarine has test-fired a missile in the Pacific, sparking concern from regional powers.

The unprecedented test of a nuclear-capable submarine-launched missile highlights Beijing’s growing force in the region.

China fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, sparking concerns among longtime U.S. allies in the region. A Chinese military official called the test part of a routine “annual military training schedule,” but Australia and New Zealand expressed concern that China’s actions disturbed the peace in the Indo-Pacific region, CNN reported. It […]

China's navy fired a submarine-launched missile into the Pacific, days after warning Pacific nations of the planned test launch

China’s military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism and concerns from Japan, Australia and New Zealand over Beijing’s expanding military reach.

The Chinese military test-fired a missile from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, state media reported, drawing criticism from U.S. allies in the region concerned about Beijing’s intensifying military activity.

China's military test-fired a missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, drawing criticism and concerns over Beijing's expanding military reach.

A Chinese submarine test-fired a “strategic” missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, Beijing said, drawing immediate condemnation from nations in the region. China made the rare show of its military might on the same day Australia and Fiji signed a major defence treaty, bolstering their ties as Canberra seeks to […]

A nuclear submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy launched the missile carrying a dummy warhead toward international waters in the Pacific at 12.01pm, China's official Xinhua news agency reported.

A nuclear-powered People’s Liberation Army submarine fired a test missile on the high seas in the Pacific on Monday, according to Chinese state media. The dummy warhead was fired at 12.01pm, state news agency Xinhua said. It added that it was a routine test and was not aimed at any specific country or target. The report said that relevant countries had been notified ahead of time. The test was China’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to have been fired...