The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force is using a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launcher disguised as a civilian crane made by Zoomlion, according to images and descriptions released this week.
The document focuses on launch platforms related to the Dongfeng missile family, designed for road maneuverability and concealment.
According to publicly available information, these vehicles externally look like large mobile cranes, with body shapes, covers, and markings similar to heavy machinery.
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The purpose of this camouflage is to hide the military nature of the system while in transit or parked, making it difficult to visually identify it from a distance, and blending into civilian traffic and industrial environments.
The disclosed system is said to be a mobile launch pad operated by the People’s Liberation Army’s division responsible for the arsenal of land-based nuclear weapons and conventional ballistic missiles. The maneuverability of these launchers is a central element of China’s strategy to increase the survivability and durability of its strategic forces.
The description emphasizes that the vehicle shown in the image does not match the typical appearance of construction equipment seen on highways. Production models of Zoomlion are normally painted green, but the yellow color observed is due to a removable exterior cover, which was specifically applied as part of the disguise operation.
China has long emphasized the maneuverability and concealment of strategic measures, including the use of tunnels, hardened shelters, and decoy systems. Crane-style camouflage adds an additional layer to these practices and is intended to reduce the launcher’s exposure during normal movement outside of a protected facility.
Source and image: Weibo | Telegram @china3army. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
