Russia And China Ramping Up Their Hypersonic Missile Tests

South China Morning Post: China, Russia ramping up tests of hypersonic gliders to counter new US strategy: analysts

Acceleration of programmes is response to Pentagon’s increased presence in South China Sea and its push to maintain an innovation advantage, say experts

China and Russia are ramping up their advanced hypersonic glide vehicle programmes to counter a US plan to deploy an anti-missile system in South Korea and its push towards a leaner but tougher military, mainland analysts say.

Beijing carried out the seventh successful test-flight of its DF-ZF glider last Friday, The Washington Free Beacon reported on Wednesday, citing Pentagon sources. The glider was mounted on a ballistic missile fired from the Wuzhai launch centre in Shanxi province, it said.

Three days earlier, Russia carried out the second test of its 3M22 Zircon glider, according to the Beacon.

“The hypersonic tests by China and Russia are aimed at causing a threat to the US, which plans to set up a missile defence system in South Korea,” said Professor He Qisong, a defence policy specialist at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. is usually the leader in new military technologies  .... but not in this case.