China steps up conventional missile capability

The conventional missile brigade was thrown open to the official English media for the first time after it was established,lifting a veil of mystery.

8220;The unit first grabbed attention in July 1995,when China announced the PLA would carry out missile tests in the high seas. Six missiles were fired in a week and each successfully hit their target.

8220;The missions announced to the world that China had both nuclear and conventional missiles,and thereby a strengthened military deterrence system,8221; the state-run China Daily said.

8220;Before that,China had only nuclear missiles. The Gulf War in 1990 helped the nation8217;s military leaders realise that conventional missiles were playing a bigger role in modern warfare,8221; it said.

China has upgraded its missiles in the past few years several times,the brigade8217;s armament has been updated several times,the Daily report said.

Meanwhile,with the increase of missile launching units over the years,the brigade had to develop a new commanding system to replace the old one that was based on vocal orders.

8220;The new system can handle multiple launches at the same time,which was impossible in the past,8221; Tan said.