Originally designed for export, the DF-12 (M20 / CSS-X-15) is a single-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile with an advertised range of 280 km. The missile was first offered for sale in 2011 and entered service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2013. Domestic variants of the missile are estimated to reach ranges over 400km. DF-12...
The Hong Niao series (HN-1/-2/-3) of short- and intermediate-range cruise missiles began development in the late 1970s. These ground-, ship-, submarine-, and air-launched cruise missiles were initially based on designs of the X-600, similar to the HY-2 Silkworm. The primary goal of the HN series was to create a nuclear-capable cruise missile with a range...
The JL-2 (Ju Lang-2, CSS-NX-14) is a Chinese intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile. China likely developed the SLBM jointly with the DF-31 land-based ICBM beginning in 1970. As of 2016, China deploys four Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines each armed with 12 Ju Lang-2 SLBMs. Chinese plans call for the production of a total of 12...
The DF-41 (Dong Feng [East Wind]-41, CSS-20) is Chinese road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It has an operational range of up to 15,000 km, making it China’s longest-range missile, and is reportedly capable of loading multiple independently-targeted warheads (MIRV). DF-41 Development China’s Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) began developing the DF-41 in July 1986....
The DF-31 (Dong Feng [East Wind]-31 / CSS-10) is a Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The three-stage, solid-fueled missile has an estimated range of 7,000 – 11,700 km. China first deployed the DF-31 in 2006, and has developed two successive variants: the DF-31A and DF-31AG. DF-31 development and specifications China’s state-owned Academy of Launch Vehicle...
The DF-5 (Dong Feng-5 / CSS-4) is a silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It was the first ICBM that China developed, and has the longest range of any missile currently in its arsenal. These missiles are capable of delivering large nuclear payloads throughout the United States and Western Europe. DF-5 Development China began developing the...
The DF-21 (Dong Feng-21, CSS-5) is a medium-range, road-mobile ballistic missile. In service since 1991, it was China’s first road-mobile missile to use solid propellant. China has developed new DF-21 variants, including a dual nuclear/conventional capable variant (DF-21C) and another designed as an antiship ballistic missile (DF-21D). In 2016, the U.S Department of Defense revealed...
The DF-15 (M-9; Dong Feng-15; NATO: CSS-6) is a short-range, road-mobile, solid-fueled ballistic missile developed by the People’s Republic of China. It has a maximum range of 600 – 900 km and can deliver a 500 – 750 kg payload, with conventional warheads optimized for precision strike, bunker-busting, and anti-runway operations. It is capable of...
The DF-16 (Dong Feng-16 / CSS-11) is a road-mobile, solid-fueled, short-range ballistic missile developed and deployed by China. China first publicly displayed the missile during a 2015 military parade. DF-16 Development China’s CASIC Academy of Launch Technology began developing the DF-16 in the 2000s. It was likely a replacement to China’s older DF-15 and DF-11...
The DF-26 (Dong Feng-26) is a Chinese intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). With its range of 4,000 km, it is China’s first conventionally-armed ballistic missile capable of striking Guam. The missile—China’s first nuclear-armed system “that can conduct precision strikes”—can be armed with a conventional or nuclear warhead. An antiship variant, the DF-26B, was tested in 2020....
The DF-11 (Dong Feng-11 / M-11 / CSS-7) is a Chinese short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of up to 600 km. It was the PRC’s first conventionally-armed SRBM, and its export version, the M-11, is thought to be the basis for Pakistan’s Ghaznavi missiles, among others. DF-11 Development China began development of the M-11...
The People’s Republic of China is in the process of building and deploying a sophisticated and modern missile arsenal, though one shrouded in secrecy due to intentional ambiguity and unwillingness to enter arms control or other transparency agreements. Beijing features its missiles most prominently in its developing anti-access/area denial doctrines, which use a combination of...
The DF-4 (Dong Feng-4, CSS-3) is a two-stage, transportable, liquid-fueled intermediate to intercontinental ballistic missile (IRBM/ICBM) that entered service in 1980. It was expected to be decommissioned by 2005, but one brigade remains operational near Lingbao, Henan province. DF-4 Development Development of the DF-4 began in 1965, in parallel with the DF-3 (CSS-2). The missile was...
The DF-17 (Dong Feng-17) is a Chinese medium-range missile system equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle. U.S. officials first confirmed the existence of DF-17 prototypes (DF-ZF/Wu-14) in 2014. DF-17 Development China has invested significant resources in the DF-17 and its other hypersonic weapon programs. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has reportedly done so to counter...
The YJ-18 (Yingji [Eagle Strike]-18) is a Chinese cruise missile with variants for antiship and land-attack missions. It is reportedly derived from the Russian 3M-54E “Klub” missile and entered service around 2014. YJ-18 Development The YJ-18 was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Third Academy starting around the mid-1990s. In 2009,...
