TheDongfeng (Chinese:东风;lit. 'East Wind') series, typically abbreviated as "DF missiles", are a family ofshort,medium,intermediate-range andintercontinentalballistic missiles operated by theChinesePeople's Liberation Army Rocket Force (formerly the Second Artillery Corps).
After the signing of theSino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance in 1950, theSoviet Union assisted China's military R&D with training, technical documentation, manufacturing-equipment and licensed production of Soviet weapons. In the area of ballistic missiles, the Soviets transferredR-1 (SS-1),R-2 (SS-2) andR-11F technology to China.[citation needed] The PRC based its first ballistic missiles on Soviet designs. Since then, China has made many advances in its ballistic-missile and rocket technology. For instance, thespace-launchLong March rockets have their roots in the Dongfeng missiles.
The first of the Dongfeng missiles, theDF-1, was a licensed copy of the SovietR-2 (SS-2 Sibling)short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), based on the GermanV-2 rocket.[1]
In November 1960, the Chinese launched their first ballistic missile, which was a DF-1 fitted with a dummy warhead. Following theSino-Soviet split, the Chinese used their existing missile production facilities to build an indigenous missile design, the DF-2.[1]
TheDF-2 (CSS-1) is China's firstmedium-range ballistic missile (MRBM). It received the western designation of CSS-1 ("China Surface-to-Surface missile-1"). According to Lennox, it's "almost certain" that the Chinese had limited access to theR-5 Pobeda (SS-3 Shyster) missile before relations with the Soviet Union broke down, with some sources suggesting that the DF-2 combined the SS-3 airframe with a locally developedliquid oxygen and alcohol propulsion system based on the SS-2.[1]
It was a single-stage liquid-fueled missile 20.6 m (68 ft) long with a diameter of 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in), four fins at the base, a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) warhead with a blast yield of 15−20 kt, launch weight of 32,000 kg (71,000 lb), and presumably aninertial guidance system. The original DF-2 had a range of 1,050 km (650 mi), while the improved DF-2A had a range of 1,250 km (780 mi), allowing it to strike all United States military bases in Japan.[1]
The first DF-2 failed in its launch test in 1962, leading to the improved DF-2A. The DF-2A was used to carry out China'stest of a live warhead on a rocket on 27 October 1966, detonated in the atmosphere aboveLop Nor.[2] A drawback of the system was that the use of liquid oxygen prevented the missile from being kept stored fully fueled for long periods of time, which led to the development of newer missiles using storable propellants. About 100 missiles were produced until 1969. From 1966, 90 of these were deployed in Northern China, until they were taken out of service in the 1980s.[1]
TheDF-3 (CSS-2) was the first Chinese ballistic missile to make use of storable propellants, allowing it to be kept stored fully fueled for long periods of time and launched at short notice.[3] The common IRBM design was greatly influenced by the SovietR-14 Chusovaya missile. The first stage engine was a direct copy of the С.2.1100/С.2.1150La-350 booster engine developed byAleksei Isaev at OKB-2 (NII-88). Design leadership has been attributed to bothTu Shou'e andSun Jiadong.[4]
The missile was produced at Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co., [首都航天机械公司], also known as Capital Machine Shop, [首都机械厂]). The 2,500 km DF-3 was originally designed with a 2,000 kg payload to carry an atomic, later thermonuclear warhead. A further improved DF-3A with 3,000 km range (~4,000 km with reduced payload) was developed in 1981, and exported to Saudi Arabia with a conventional high-explosive warhead.[5]
The DF-3's range of 2,810 km means it is just short of being able to target Guam. The 2012 DOD report on China's military power states that they have a range of 3,300 km, which would be enough to target Guam.[6] The 2013 Pentagon report on China's military power confirms the DF-3's 3,300 km range, and its maps show Guam being within the DF-3's range.[7] All DF-3/DF-3A's were retired by the mid-2010s and replaced by the DF-21.[8]
TheDF-4 (CSS-3) "Chingyu" is China's firsttwo-stage ballistic missile, with 5,550-7,000 km range and 2,200 kg payload (3 Mt nuclear warhead). It was developed in late 1960s to provide strike capability against Moscow and Guam. The DF-4 missile also served as basis for China's first space launch vehicle, Chang Zheng 1 (Long March 1). Approx. 20 DF-4's remain in service, and are scheduled to be replaced by DF-31 by 2010–2015.[9][needs update]
TheDF-5 (CSS-4) is anintercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), designed to carry a 3 megaton (Mt) nuclear warhead to distance up to 12,000 km. The DF-5 is a silo-based, two-stage missile, and its rocket served as the basis for the space-launch vehicle Fengbao-Tempest (FB-1) used to launch satellites. The missile was developed in the 1960s, and entered service in 1981. In the mid 1990s, an improved variant, the DF-5A, was produced with improved range (>13,000 km).
Currently, an estimated 24-36 DF-5A's are in service as China's primary ICBM force. If the DF-5A is launched from the eastern part of the Qinghai province, it can reach cities like Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco. If it is launched from the most eastern parts of northeastern provinces, it can cover all of the mainland of the United States.
TheDF-11 (CSS-7, alsoM-11 for export), is aroad-mobile SRBM designed by Wang Zhenhua at the Sanjiang Missile Corporation (also known as the 066 Base) in the late 1970s. Unlike previous Chinese ballistic missiles, the DF-11 usesolid fuel, which greatly reduces launch preparation time to around 15–30 minutes, whileliquid-fuelled missiles such as the DF-5 require up to 2 hours of pre-launch preparation. The DF-11 has a range of 300 km and an 800 kg payload. An improved DF-11A version has increased range of >825 km.[10] The range of the M-11 does not violate the limits set by theMissile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Estimates on the number of DF-11s in service vary between 500 and 600.[11]
TheDF-12 (CSS-X-15) is an SRBM formerly known as theM20. The change in designation signalled a shift in fielding to the Second Artillery Corps, making it possible the missile could be armed with a tactical nuclear warhead. Images of it bear a resemblance to the Russian9K720 Iskander missile which, although not purchased by China from Russia, could have been acquired from former Soviet states. Like the Iskander, the DF-12 reportedly has built-in countermeasures including terminal maneuverability to survive against missile defense systems.[12]
Its range is officially between 100–280 km (62–174 mi),[12] but givenMTCR restrictions, actual maximum range may be up to 400–420 km (250–260 mi). With guidance provided by inertial navigation andBeidou, accuracy is 30 meters CEP; since the missile is controlled throughout the entire flight path, it can be re-targeted mid-flight. The DF-12 is 7.815 m (25.64 ft) long, 0.75 m (2.5 ft) in diameter, has a take-off weight of 4,010 kg (8,840 lb), and an 880 lb (400 kg) warhead that can deliver cluster, high explosive fragmentation, penetration, or high-explosive incendiary payloads. They are fired from an 8×8transporter erector launcher (TEL) that holds two missiles.[13]
Ananti-ship ballistic missile export variant of the M20, called A/MGG-20B (M20B), was unveiled at the 2018 Zhuhai Airshow.[14]
TheDF-15 (CSS-6, alsoM-9 for export) was developed by theChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC, previously known as the 5th Aerospace Academy)'s Academy of Rocket Motor Technology (ARMT, also known as the 4th Academy). The missile is a single-stage, solid-fuel SRBM with a 600 km range and a 500 kg payload. During the1995-1996 Taiwan strait crisis, the PLA launched six DF-15's nearTaiwan in a demonstration of the missile's capability. Although the DF-15 is marketed for export, its range would violate the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) agreement, and thus no DF-15 has been exported to date. Approximately 300-350 DF-15's are in service with the PLA Rocket Force.[15]
TheDF-16 (CSS-11)[citation needed] is a new-model missile that has a longer range than the DF-15, between 800–1,000 km (500–620 mi). In March 2011, Taiwan believed that China had begun deploying the missiles.[16] The DF-16 represents an increased threat to Taiwan because it is more difficult to intercept foranti-ballistic missiles systems such as theMIM-104 Patriot PAC-3. Due to its increased range, the missile has to climb to higher altitudes before descending, giving more time for gravity to accelerate it on re-entry, faster than a PAC-3 could effectively engage it.[17]
The DF-16 is an MRBM longer and wider than previous models with a 1,000–1,500 kg (2,200–3,300 lb) warhead and 5-10 meter accuracy. Its bi-conic warhead structure leaves room for potential growth to include specialized terminally guided and deep penetrating warheads. It is launched from a 10×10 wheeled TEL similar to that of the DF-21, but instead of a "cold launch" missile storage tube it uses a new protective "shell" to cover the missile.[18][19] Nuclear capable.[20]
The missile was shown to the public during the2015 China Victory Day Parade inBeijing.[21][22][23][24]
TheDF-17 is a medium-range ballistic missile used to launch theDF-ZFhypersonic glide vehicle.[25] The DF-ZF is a conventional warhead,[26] although US intelligence considers it to be nuclear capable.[27] The system entered service in the second half of 2019.[28]
TheDF-21 (CSS-5) is a two-stage, solid-fuel MRBM developed by the 2nd Aerospace Academy (now China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy) in the late 1970s. It was the first solid-fuelled ballistic missile deployed by the Second Artillery Corp. The missile carries a single 500 kt nuclear warhead, with up to 2,500 km (1,600 mi) range. The DF-21 also served as the basis for thesubmarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)JL-1 (CSS-N-3),[29] used on theXia-class SSBN.
In 1996, an improved variant, the DF-21A, was introduced. In 2010, 60-80 DF-21/DF-21A were estimated to be in service. This number may have increased since then.[30] Sources say Saudi Arabia bought a DF-21 in 2007.
The latest variant, the DF-21D, has a maximum range exceeding 1,450 kilometres (900 mi; 780 nmi) according to the U.S.National Air and Space Intelligence Center. It is hailed as the world's firstanti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) system, capable of targeting a movingcarrier strike group from long-range, land-based mobile launchers. The DF-21D is thought to employmaneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRVs) with aterminal guidance system. It may have been tested in 2005–2006. The launch of the Jianbing-5/YaoGan-1 and Jianbing-6/YaoGan-2 satellites offering targeting information fromsynthetic aperture radar (SAR) and visual imaging, respectively.
TheDF-25 was a mobile-launch, two-stage, solid-fuel IRBM with a range of 3,200 kilometres (2,000 mi). Development was allegedly cancelled in 1996.[31] TheU.S. Department of Defense in its 2013 report to Congress on China's military developments made no mention of the DF-25 as a missile in service.[32]
TheDF-26C is an IRBM with a range of at least 5,000 km (3,100 mi), far enough to reach U.S. naval bases inGuam. Few details are known, but it is believed to be solid-fuelled and road-mobile, allowing it to be stored in underground bunkers and fired at short notice, hence difficult to counter. It is possible that the DF-26C is a follow-up version of the DF-21. Possible warheads include conventional, nuclear or even maneuverable anti-ship and hypersonic glide warheads.[33]
TheDF-27 (CH-SS-X-24) is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) warhead.[34] The ballistic missile was in development as of 2021, with a range of 5,000 km to 8,000 km.[35]
TheDF-31 (CSS-10) is a solid-fuel ICBM developed by China's 4th Aerospace Academy (now ARMT). The DF-31 has range of 8,000+ km, and can carry a single 1,000 kt warhead, or up to three 20-150 kt MIRV warheads. An improved version, the DF-31A, has range of 11,000+ km, far enough to reach Los Angeles from Beijing.[36]
The DF-31 was developed to replace many of China's older ballistic missiles, and served as basis to the newJL-2 (CSS-NX-4/CSS-NX-5) SLBM. In 2009, approx. 30 DF-31/DF-31A are estimated to be in service; it is possible this number may have increased since then.[37] 12 were displayed at the 2009 military parade in Beijing commemorating the 60th anniversary of the PRC's founding.
The DF-31AG uses a mobile launcher with improved mobility. It made its first official public appearance in the2017 PLA Day Parade.[38]
TheDF-41 (CSS-20) is a solid-fuel ICBM equipped to carry ten or twelveMIRVwarheads. With an estimated range between 12,000 - 15,000 km, it is believed to surpass the range of the US'sLGM-30 Minuteman ICBM to become the world's longest range missile.[39]
TheDF-61 is a solid-fuel ICBM and the newest addition to China's nuclear arsenal. It was unveiled at the2025 China Victory Day Parade.[40]