DF-21/CSS-5 Mod 1
DF-21 and transporter erector launcher vehicle at the Beijing Military Museum.
TypeMRBM/IRBM
Place of originChina
Service history
In service1991
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force
Specifications
Mass14,700 kilograms (32,400 lb)
Length10.7 metres (35 ft)
Diameter1.4 metres (4.6 ft)
Warheadconventional 600kg: 1, or 5-6 (improved variant)[1] nuclear 200-300-500 kt nuclear[2]
EngineSolid fueled
Operational
range
1,770 km (1,100 mi) (DF-21/DF-21A)[3]
1,700 km (1,100 mi) (DF-21C)
1,500 km (930 mi; 810 nmi) (DF-21D ASBM)[4]
Maximum speed Mach 10 (estimated maximum before re-entry)
Guidance
system
Inertial + terminal active radar guidance[5]
AccuracyDF-21 700m, DF-21A 50m, DF-21B 10m CEP (with BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and active radar)[6]
Launch
platform
Mobile launcher

The Dong-Feng 21 (DF-21; NATO reporting name CSS-5 - Dong-Feng (simplified Chinese: 东风; traditional Chinese: 東風; lit. 'East Wind') is a two-stage, solid-fuel rocket, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) in the Dong Feng series developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy. Development started in the late 1960s and was completed around 1985–86, but it was not deployed until 1991. It was developed from the submarine-launched JL-1 missile, and is China's first solid-fuel land-based missile. The U.S. Department of Defense in 2008 estimated that China had 60-80 missiles and 60 launchers;[7] approximately 10-11 missiles can be built annually.[8]

Originally developed as a strategic weapon, the DF-21's later variants were designed for both nuclear and conventional missions. It is thought able to carry a high explosive, submunition, or 300 kt nuclear warhead. The latest DF-21D was said to be the world's first anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM). The DF-21 has also been developed into a space-capable anti-satellite weapon/anti-missile weapon carrier.

Though the launcher itself is mobile to reduce vulnerability, an actual launch unit requires support vehicles that can cover a 300×300-meter area, making it hard to move quickly and easier to detect. Also, the wheeled launcher is not made to travel off-road and requires solid ground when firing to prevent backblast and debris damage due to the hard launch, restricting its firing locations to roads and pre-made launch pads.[9]

DF-21/A/C (CSS-5 Mod-1/2/3)

The basic variant DF-21 had a range of 1,770+ km,[3] and a payload of 600 kg (1,300 lb) consisting of a single 500 kt nuclear warhead, with an estimated circular error probable (CEP) of 300~400 m; this version did not enter operational service.[5] The DF-21A was operational by 1996 and has improved accuracy with an estimated CEP of 100~300 m.[5] This version is reported to have a similar 1,770+ km range,[3] with a potential extended range of 2,150 km (1,340 mi).[9][10]

Revealed in 2006, the DF-21C is a terminally guided version[11] that has a maximum range believed to be about 1,700 km (1,100 mi)[12] and accuracy estimated to be 50~100m.[13] The missile was the first dual-capable version, able to be armed with either a nuclear or conventional warhead. In 2010, the DF-21C was being deployed in central Western China.[9]

DF-21D (CSS-5 Mod-4) Anti-ship ballistic missile

The DF-21D missile as seen after the military parade on September 3, 2015.
Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-21 A/B range in red.

Development

This is an anti-ship ballistic missile that has a maximum range exceeding 1,450 kilometres (900 mi; 780 nmi), according to the U.S. National Air and Space Intelligence Center. The Intelligence Center did not believe it was deployed in 2009.[12] As of 2009, the guidance system was thought to be still in an evolutionary process as more UAVs and satellites are added.[14]

The US Department of Defense stated in 2010 that China has developed and reached initial operating capability (IOC)[15] of a conventionally armed[16] high hypersonic[17] land-based anti-ship ballistic missile based on the DF-21. This is the first ASBM and weapon system capable of targeting a moving aircraft carrier strike group from long-range, land-based mobile launchers.[18][19][20] The DF-21D is thought to employ maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRVs) with a terminal guidance system. Such a missile may have been tested in 2005-6, and the launch of the Jianbing-5/YaoGan-1 and Jianbing-6/YaoGan-2 satellites would give the Chinese targeting information from SAR (synthetic-aperture radar) and visual imaging respectively. The upgrades enhance China's ability to prevent US carriers from operating in the Taiwan Strait.[21] Some have also suggested China could develop a DF-21D with multiple reentry vehicles.[22]

Guidance and navigation

Between 2009 and 2012, China launched a series of satellites to support its ASBM efforts:

China was reported to be working on an over-the-horizon radar in 2013 to locate the targets for the ASBM.[24] An apparent test of the missile was made against a target in the Gobi desert in January 2013.[25]

Re-entry vehicle

In 2014, the U.S. Navy reported that images that have appeared on the internet showed similarities of a DF-21D re-entry vehicle to the American Pershing II missile's RV, which was withdrawn from service in 1988. The Pershing II's RV weighed 1,400 lb (640 kg) and was fitted with four control fins to perform a 25-G pull-up after reentering the atmosphere, traveling at Mach 8 and then gliding 30 nmi (35 mi; 56 km) to the target to pitch into a terminal dive. Army training manuals about the missile are available on the internet and public open-source literature extensively describes it; the DF-21 has a comparable range and payload. Though much is made of the DF-21D's damage infliction ability based solely on velocity and kinetic energy, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has calculated that the energy of an inert 500 kg (1,100 lb) RV impacting at Mach 6 had similar energy to the combined kinetic and explosive power of the American subsonic Harpoon anti-ship missile, which is one-quarter the energy of the Russian supersonic 12,800 lb (5,800 kg) Kh-22 missile traveling at Mach 4 with a 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) warhead.[26]

Impact on naval warfare

In 2009, the United States Naval Institute stated that there was "currently ... no defense against [a warhead able to destroy an aircraft carrier in one hit]" if it worked as theorized. It was reported in 2010 that China was finalizing development of a MaRV warhead for the DF-21.[27][28][29] The United States Navy has responded by switching its focus from a close blockade force of shallow water vessels to return to building deep water ballistic missile defense (BMD) destroyers.[17] The United States has also assigned most of its ballistic missile defense capable ships to the Pacific, extended the BMD program to all Aegis destroyers and increased procurement of SM-3 BMD missiles.[30] The United States also has a large network optimized for tracking ballistic missile launches which may give carrier groups sufficient warning in order to move away from the target area while the missile is in flight.[31] Kinetic defenses against the DF-21D would be difficult. The Navy's primary ballistic missile interceptor, the SM-3, would not be effective since it is designed to intercept missiles in the mid-course phase in space, so it would have to be launched almost immediately to hit before reentry or from an Aegis ship positioned under its flight path. The SM-2 Block 4 can intercept missiles reentering the atmosphere, but the warhead will be performing high-G maneuvers that may complicate interception.[32] By 2016, the US Navy was testing the vastly more capable SM-6, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles in the terminal phase.[33] The SM-6 began deployment in 2013.[34]

In late 2013, a Russian Military Analysis report of the DF-21D concluded that the only way to successfully counter it would be through electronic countermeasures. Conventional interceptions of high-speed objectives have worked in the past, with the Russian report citing the 2008 interception of a malfunctioning satellite by a U.S. cruiser, but in that situation the warship had extensive knowledge of its location and trajectory. Against an attack from the Mach 10 DF-21D without knowing the missile's launch point, the U.S. Navy's only way to evade it would be through electronic countermeasures.[35]

Use of such a missile has been said by some experts to potentially lead to nuclear exchange, regional arms races with India and Japan, and the end of the INF Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union, to which the People's Republic of China is not a party.[36][37]

Skepticism

The emergence of the DF-21D has some analysts claiming that the "carrier killer" missiles have rendered the American use of aircraft carriers obsolete, as they are too vulnerable in the face of the new weapon and not worth the expense. Military leaders in the U.S. Navy and Air Force, however, do not see it as a "game changer" to completely count carriers out.

First, the missile may not be able to single-handedly destroy its target, as the warhead is believed to only be enough to inflict a "mission kill" that makes a carrier unable to conduct flight operations.[38]

Secondly, there is the problem of finding its target. The DF-21D has a range estimated between 1,035 to 1,726 mi (899 to 1,500 nmi; 1,666 to 2,778 km), so a carrier battle group would need to be located through other means before launching. Over-the-horizon radars cannot pinpoint a carrier's exact location, and would have to be used in conjunction with Chinese recon satellites. Though recon aircraft and submarines could also be used to look for the carrier, they are vulnerable to the carrier battle group's defenses.[38]

Finally, although the DF-21D has radar and optical sensors for tracking, it has not yet been tested against a ship target moving at-sea at up to 55 km/h (30 kn; 34 mph), let alone ones using clutter and countermeasures. The missile's "kill chain" requires processing and constantly updating a carrier's location details, preparing the launch, programming information and firing. The U.S. military's AirSea Battle concept involves disrupting such kill chains.[38] Some U.S. analysts believe that the DF-21D does not fly any faster than Mach 5.[39]

The DF-21D may also not be as fast as theorized. While ballistic missiles reenter the atmosphere at speeds between Mach 8-15 at an altitude of 50 km (160,000 ft), increasing air resistance in the denser low-atmosphere region reduces terminal speed to around Mach 2 at 3–5 km (9,800–16,400 ft). It cannot acquire its target until this point due to ionization blockage, leaving a relatively short time to actually search for a ship. This could enable the target to leave the area if the missile is detected soon enough before it engages its terminal sensors, and the slower speed upon reentry leaves it vulnerable to missile interceptors.[40]

Appearances and deployments

The missile was shown to the public during the parade in Beijing celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II on September 3, 2015.[41][42] A parade video shows missiles marked as DF-21D.[43]

On 26 August 2020, along with a DF-26B, a DF-21D was launched into an area of the South China Sea between Hainan and the Paracel Islands, one day after China said that an American U-2 spy plane entered a no-fly zone without its permission during a Chinese live-fire naval drill in Bohai Sea off its north coast[44] and came as Washington blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted individuals it said were part of construction and military activities in the South China Sea.[45][46][47] US officials subsequently assessed that the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) had fired four medium-range ballistic missiles in total.[46][45] The missile tests drew criticism from Japan, the Pentagon and Taiwan.[46][45][48]

DF-26

The DF-26 is an enhancement of the DF-21 with range increased to more than 5,000 km (3,100 mi). Its existence was officially confirmed by the Chinese state in the mid-2010s, but it had already been in service for several years.[11][49]

On 26 August 2020, a DF-26B was fired from Qinghai province into an area between Hainan and the Paracel Islands as a response to a U.S. U-2 spy plane entering into a no-fly zone during a Chinese live-fire naval drill the day earlier.[44]

SC-19

Anti-satellite and Anti-ballistic missile version based on DF-21. Multiple test was conducted. The missile is capable of targeting ballistic missiles and satellite outside of the Earth atmosphere.[50][51]

CH-AS-X-13

Air-launched ballistic missile version of DF-21.[52][53] carried by H-6K.[54] The 3000 km range missile is scheduled for deployment in 2025.[55]

Saudi Arabian purchase

In January 2014, Newsweek revealed that Saudi Arabia had secretly bought a number of DF-21 medium-range ballistic missiles in 2007. They also said that the American CIA had allowed the deal to go through as long as the missiles were modified to not be able to carry nuclear warheads. Saudi Arabia had previously secretly acquired Chinese DF-3A ballistic missiles in 1988, which was publicly revealed. While the DF-3 has a longer range, it was designed to carry a nuclear payload, and so had poor accuracy (0.6-2.4 miles (1000–4000 m) CEP) if used with a conventional warhead. It would only be useful against large area targets like cities and military bases. This made them useless during the Gulf War for retaliating against Iraqi Scud missile attacks, as they would cause mass civilian casualties and would not be as effective as the ongoing coalition air attacks. After the war, the Saudis and the CIA worked together to covertly allow the purchase of Chinese DF-21s. The DF-21 is solid-fueled instead of liquid-fueled like the DF-3, so it takes less time to prepare for launch. It is accurate to 30 meters CEP, allowing it to attack specific targets like compounds or palaces. The Saudis are not known to possess mobile launchers, but may use the same 12 launchers originally bought with the DF-3s. The number of DF-21 missiles that were bought is unknown. Newsweek speculates that details of the deal being made public is part of Saudi deterrence against Iran.[56][57][58] In Sep 2014, Saudi Arabia purchased CSS-5s ballistic missiles from China to defend Mecca and Medina, said Dr. Anwar Eshki, a retired major general in the Saudi armed forces.[59] Saudi significantly escalated its ballistic missile program with help from China according to US intel.[60]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Fisher Jr, Richard (24 July 2007). "New Chinese Missiles Target the Greater Asian Region". International Assessment and Strategy Center - Research. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Nuclear Warhead Modernization". NTI. 2007. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05.
  3. 1 2 3 The Military Power of the People's Republic of China - Annual Report to Congress (PDF) (Report). Office of the Secretary of Defense. 2007. p. 42. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2007.
  4. ↑ Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China (PDF). Office of the Secretary of Defense (Report). U.S. Department of Defense. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2014. The DF-21D has a range exceeding 1,500 km and is armed with a maneuverable warhead.
  5. 1 2 3 "DF21C". SinoDefence. 13 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-02-01.
  6. ↑ Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, 51st ed. (Coulsdon, Surrey, U.K.:Jane's Information Group, 2010)
  7. ↑ "Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2008" (PDF). Office of the Secretary of Defense. p. 56 (p66 of PDF).
  8. ↑ "Pradun: From Bottle Rockets to Lightning Bolts, p.12". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 Kristensen, Hans M. (September 28, 2010). "DF-21C Missile Deploys to Central China". fas.org. Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "DF-21 (Dong Feng-21 / CSS-5)". Missile Threat.
  11. 1 2 Richard D Fisher Jr, James Hardy (30 August 2015). "China previews new ballistic missiles in practices for 3 September parade". Jane's Defence Weekly. IHS. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  12. 1 2 Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat (PDF). National Air and Space Intelligence Center (Report). Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. April 2009. NASIC-1031-0985-09. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "Pradun: From Bottle Rockets to Lightning Bolts, p.11". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  14. ↑ PLAN ASBM development, informationdissemination.net, March 28, 2009.
  15. ↑ "China's Carrier Killer Ballistic Missiles are Operational". Defense Tech.
  16. ↑ Sean O'Connor (11 November 2008). "IMINT & Analysis". geimint.blogspot.com.
  17. 1 2 "Report: Chinese Develop Special "Kill Weapon" to Destroy U.S. Aircraft Carriers". U. S. Naval Institute. March 31, 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013.
  18. ↑ Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2008, p. 2 (p12 of PDF)
  19. ↑ "How China could scupper US naval power". SCMP. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-07-13. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
  20. ↑ "U.S. commander says China aims to be a 'global military' power". Asahi Shimbun. 28 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  21. ↑ Gertz, Bill, "Inside the Ring: China's anti-carrier missiles", The Washington Times, Sep 3, 2009, p. B1.
  22. ↑ Kazianis, Harry. "China's Anti-Access Missile". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
  23. ↑ "Chinese Anti-ship Missile Could Alter U.S. Power", Wendell Minnick, Defense News, p6a, 5 April 2010
  24. ↑ "CRS RL33153 China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities--Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF).
  25. ↑ Daniel DeFraia. "China tests DF-21D missile on mock US aircraft carrier in Gobi desert". GlobalPost.
  26. ↑ "U.S. Navy Sees Chinese HGV As Part Of Wider Threat". Aviationweek.com. 27 January 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  27. ↑ "China Testing Ballistic Missile 'Carrier-Killer'". Wired. March 29, 2010.
  28. ↑ "China's anti-ship missile is nearly operational". Asahi Shimbin. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2010.
  29. ↑ "China Testing Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM); U.S. Preparing Accordingly–Updated With Latest Analysis & Sources". andrewerickson.com. December 25, 2010.
  30. ↑ "China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF).
  31. ↑ Pomfret, John. "Military strength is eluding China." The Washington Post, 25 December 2010.
  32. ↑ Is China's "Carrier-Killer" Really a Threat to the U.S. Navy? - Nationalinterest.org, 2 September 2015
  33. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (December 16, 2016). "How the U.S. Navy is Trying to Make China's 'Carrier-Killer' Missiles Obsolete". The National Interest.
  34. ↑ "Projects: Standard Missile-6". Naval Technology. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  35. ↑ Electronic Countermeasures maybe only way to counter Chinese DF-21D Ballistic Missile - Navyrecognition.com, 14 December 2013
  36. ↑ Erikson, Andrew S.; Yang, David D. (2009). "On the Verge of a Game-Changer". Proceedings Magazine. United States Naval Institute. 135 (5). Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  37. ↑ Mark Stokes; Dan Blumenthal (2 January 2011). "Can a treaty contain China's missiles?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  38. 1 2 3 China's Carrier Killer: Threat and Theatrics - AirForcemag.com, December 2013
  39. ↑ House GOP Defense Heavies Slam China After Hypersonic Missile Test - Breakingdefense.com, 14 January 2014
  40. ↑ Can China's DF-21D missile destroy US aircraft carriers as advertised?. Taiwan News. 29 August 2020.
  41. ↑ "China's 'Carrier-Killer' Missile Is For Real". defenseworld.net.
  42. ↑ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Janes.com.
  43. ↑ WORLD TV (3 September 2015). "CHINA SHOWS OFF ITS MILITARY POWER ON V-DAY 70TH PARADE; Strategic Strikes Module Displays MISSILES". Archived from the original on 2016-03-13 – via YouTube.
  44. 1 2 Huang, Kristin (26 August 2020). "Chinese military fires 'aircraft-carrier killer' missile into South China Sea in 'warning to the United States'". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020. The move came one day after China said a US U-2 spy plane entered a no-fly zone without permission during a Chinese live-fire naval drill in the Bohai Sea off its north coast.
  45. 1 2 3 "U.S., China trade jibes as military tensions worsen". Reuters. August 27, 2020.
  46. 1 2 3 "China fires missiles into South China Sea as U.S. sanctions Beijing". The Japan Times. The Japan Times. Aug 27, 2020.
  47. ↑ "U.S. targets Chinese individuals, companies amid South China Sea dispute". Reuters. Reuters. Aug 26, 2020. A U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters that on Wednesday China launched four medium-range ballistic missiles that hit the South China Sea between Hainan Island and the Paracel Islands.
  48. ↑ "Tsai calls on China to 'restrain itself'". Taipei Times, CNA and Bloomberg. August 28, 2020.
  49. ↑ "China Produces A Guam Killer". Missile Threat. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25.
  50. ↑ Hsiao-Huang Shu*. "China's Missile Defense Capability" (PDF). Taiwan Defense Research Institute.
  51. ↑ Weeden, Brian. "2007 Chinese Anti-Satellite Test Fact Sheet" (PDF). Secure World Foundation.
  52. ↑ "H-6A Nuclear Weapon Carrier". Archived from the original on 2018-11-13.
  53. ↑ "China Develops, Deploys New Missiles | Arms Control Association". www.armscontrol.org.
  54. ↑ "Tweet". twitter.com. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  55. ↑ "Report: China Developing Nuclear-Capable ALBM". Missile Threat. April 11, 2018.
  56. ↑ CIA Helped Saudis in Secret Chinese Missile Deal - Newsweek.com, 29 January 2014
  57. ↑ Saudi Ballistic Missiles Secretly Upgraded - Strategypage.com, 10 February 2014
  58. ↑ "Saudi Arabia unveils part of strategic missile force - a deterrent move against Iran?". Defense Update. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  59. ↑ "Saudi Arabia admits to purchase of Chinese DF-21 missile". Army Recognition. 2014-09-22. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  60. ↑ "Exclusive: US intel shows Saudi Arabia escalated its missile program with help from China". CNN. 2019-06-05. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
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