DF-3A

"CSS-2" redirects here. For the document markup language version, see CSS § CSS 2.

DF-3A/CSS-2(US)
Type	IRBM
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	1971–2014 (China) 1988–present (Saudi Arabia)
Used by	China, Saudi Arabia
Specifications
Length	24 m
Warhead	Nuclear, possibly 3 × 50–100  kt (0.21–0.42 PJ) warheads or 1 × 700–3,000 kt (2.9–12.6 PJ) warhead [1]
Engine	liquid fueled (4x YF-1 rocket engines)
Operational range	4,000-5,000 km [2] [3]
Guidance system	Astro-inertial guidance
Accuracy	0.6-2.4 miles (1000-4000 m) CEP [4]

The DF-3A (NATO: CSS-2) is a Chinese liquid-fueled, single-stage, nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile. It entered service with the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force in 1971, and its units were fully converted to the DF-21 by 2014. ^{[5] [6]}

In 1988 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) DF-3A missiles to Saudi Arabia. ^{[3] [7]} Saudi Arabia publicly displayed them for the first time in 2014. ^[8]

Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-3A range in Orange.

History

Deployment of the missile began in 1971, ^[1] reaching a peak of 110 by 1984, then shrinking to 50 in 1993.^{[ citation needed ]} It was estimated by the U.S. DoD that there were 17 missiles and 10 launchers in operation as of 2010 under a single brigade. ^[5] By May 2014, it appeared that the last unit operating the DF-3A completed conversion to the DF-21 missile from satellite photos of changes to the launch unit site. ^[6]

Users

  China

People's Liberation Army Rocket Force

  Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force

References

1. "DF-3A / CSS-2". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
2. Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat (Report). Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee. 1 June 2017. p. 5. NASIC-1031-0985-17. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
3. Meick, Ethan (16 June 2014). China's Reported Ballistic Missile Sale to Saudi Arabia: Background and Potential Implications (PDF) (Report). U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
4. "DF-3A - China Nuclear Forces".
5. Norris, Robert S.; Kristensen, Hans M. (November 2010). "Chinese nuclear forces, 2010". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists . 66 (6): 134–141. doi: 10.1177/0096340210387046 . ISSN   0096-3402.
6. Chinese Nuclear Missile Upgrade Near Dalian - Fas.org, 21 May 2014
7. Mark Urban (6 November 2013). "Saudi nuclear weapons 'on order' from Pakistan". BBC. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
8. "Saudi Arabia unveils part of strategic missile force - a deterrent move against Iran?". Defense Update. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.

Preceded by DF-3

DF-3A

Succeeded by DF-4