Images and descriptions released this week indicate that the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Forces are using mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers disguised as civilian cranes manufactured by Zoomlion.
The material highlights launch platforms associated with the Dongfeng family of missiles, designed for road mobility and stealth capability.
According to widespread reports, the vehicles appear externally as large mobile cranes, with body shapes, covers and markings similar to those of heavy construction machinery.
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The purpose of camouflage is to disguise the military nature of the systems during movement and periods of rest, making visual identification from a distance difficult and confusing them in civilian traffic and industrial environments.
The systems shown would be mobile transporter-launchers operated by the branch of the People’s Liberation Army responsible for the land-based nuclear arsenal and conventional ballistic missiles. The mobility of these launchers is a central element of China’s strategy to increase the survivability and resilience of its strategic forces.
One detail highlighted in the descriptions is that the vehicles shown in the images do not match the most common visual standard of construction equipment seen on the roads. Production models of Zoomlion are normally painted green, while the observed yellow coloring comes from removable exterior coatings, specifically applied as part of the concealment effort.
China has previously emphasized the mobility and coverage of its strategic assets, including tunnels, hardened shelters and decoy systems. Crane-style camouflage adds another layer to these practices, seeking to reduce launchers’ exposure during routine movements outside protected facilities.
Source and images: Weibo | Telegram @china3army. This content was created with the help of AI and has been reviewed by the editorial team.
