Article Posted on : - Sep 06, 2010

Dongfeng ballistic missile. A file photo.

BEIJING (PTI): China is close to operationalising its new super-weapon, "carrier-killer" missiles, saying they would be used to counter balance US Naval supremacy in the pacific.

"The anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBP) is close to becoming operational," the Global Times said, warning that Beijing would not allow foreign aircraft carriers near its waters.

"China undoubtedly needs to build highly credible anti-carrier capability," the paper said it an editorial.

Claiming that the missiles were a deterrent to US aircraft carrier-led battle groups operating in the Pacific Ocean, the paper said for this "not only does China need anti-ship ballistic missiles but also other carrier killing measures."

The Chinese claims comes in the wake of warnings by US Pacific Commander Admiral Robert Willard that China is developing a new version of its Dongfeng 21 missiles that can pierce through the defences of even the most sturdy US Naval vessels.

"These missiles have a range of 20,000 kms -- a capability to strike targets far beyond Chinese waters," US Naval commanders have warned.

"For quiet sometime the intelligence agencies in the US and other Western countries have conjectured over China's anti-ship missile capacity. China ought to convince the international community of its reliable carrier killing capacity as soon as possible to end the speculation," the Global Times said.

In a recent report submitted to the Congress, the Pentagon has said that the China has made a string of double digit hikes in its military spending to build new range of nuclear weapons, long range missiles, submarines, aircraft carriers and cyber warfare system.