Think Tank: China's Development of DF-27 Missiles and Island-Building in the South China Sea Heightens Direct Threat to Australia

(CNA Sydney, 14th –综合 foreign news report) Australia's think tank, the Lowy Institute, released a report today warning that China already has the capability to conduct direct missile strikes against Australia, and that this threat is growing as Beijing continues to expand its long-range hypersonic weapons and build artificial islands in the South China Sea.

According to AFP, the Lowy Institute stated in its report that while the primary Chinese risks currently facing Australia involve the ability to sever undersea communication cables, launch cyberattacks, and disrupt maritime trade, "the threat of direct strikes is real and the level of threat is increasing."

The report指出 that such threats mainly come from missiles launched from naval vessels and submarines, as well as a new medium-range ballistic missile, the Dongfeng-27 (DF-27), which can be launched from mainland China to the Australian continent.

The U.S. military announced in December last year that the DF-27 has a range of 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers.

The Lowy Institute indicated that the DF-27 could become an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying conventional warheads, and as its deployment numbers increase, China's strike capability against Australia will strengthen over the next decade.

Additionally, the report noted that if China deploys the medium-range ballistic missile Dongfeng-26 (DF-26) on its man-made islands in the South China Sea, its range could reach northern Australia.

Furthermore, the threat to Australia would "significantly increase" if China deploys long-range manned or unmanned bombers, or positions bombers or missiles on Pacific islands close to Australia.

Sam Roggeveen, Director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute, told AFP: "I believe the growth of the PLA is the most important event for Australia's security since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Australia has an urgent need to have more informed discussions about this." (Translation: Zhang Zhengqian) 1150614

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