| Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Alternate Name: |
DF-21A |
| Class: |
MRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
12.30 m |
| Diameter: |
1.40 m |
| Launch Weight: |
15200 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 500 kg |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 90 kT or selectable 20, 90, 150 kT, HE, chemical, submunitions, EMP |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage solid |
| Range: |
2500 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1996 |
Details
The CSS-5 is a medium-range, road mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile. It was the first road mobile, solid propellant missile system developed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It is a variant on the CSS-N-3 submarine-launched system and replaced the obsolete CSS-1 in the early 1980s. Its primary advantage is its solid propellant system, which significantly increases its service life and mobility while decreasing its maintenance cost and the required launch time. The CSS-5 represented a shift in the PRC missile programs away from liquid fueled designs. A modified version given the NATO designation CSS-5 Mod 2 was developed to take into account advances in technology.
The CSS-5 Mod 2 is an offensive tactical missile system. While its payload and accuracy are sufficient to destroy civilian population centers, it is unable to reach key Russian or US cities. The CSS-5 is only useful as a deterrent against India, which is developing its own nuclear force. However, the CSS-5 is easily capable of being deployed against large targets such as military complexes, airports, seaports, or key staging areas, particularly US military bases in Asia. The ability to select the nuclear yield enables it to be readily deployable against both civilian population centers and military targets, while the multiple configurations for its warhead allow it to be adapted to the situation. Its high accuracy gives it the ability to destroy both individual military units and hardened targets. During an attack on Taiwan or Japan, CSS-5 Mod 2 missiles would doubtlessly be used to destroy defensive units and facilities prior to an invasion, as well as any known missile forces. Its accuracy is sufficient for it to be used to destroy hardened missile silos, should any other country in the region develop that capacity.
The CSS-5 Mod 2 is highly mobile, resulting from its solid propellant and Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle launch system. It can be easily transported and launched within several minutes, making it capable of being deployed during a rapidly changing military situation. Its TEL system enables it to be moved to critical areas quickly and hidden from opposing forces. This greatly increases its effectiveness as a tactical system.
The CSS-5 Mod 2 is also used to project PRC power in Asia. The PRC uses its nuclear and military superiority to exert control in the region and the CSS-5 Mod 2 gives it the capability to threaten key opposing forces without a full mobilization. For example, the CSS-5 is currently deployed at the Burmese border, securing by force the PRC’s mineral rights in the area.
The CSS-5 Mod 2 can deploy its 500 kg payload between a minimum range of 500 km (311 miles) and a maximum of 2,500 km (1,553 miles). Its payload carries a single warhead that can be equipped with several types of warheads. The nuclear warhead is believed to have a 90 kT yield, though it is thought to be equipped with a selectable yield warhead that can be set anywhere between 20 kT and 90 kT prior to launch. The other warhead configuration possibilities are high explosives, chemical agents, submunitions and a device that triggers an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) to disable electronics. It uses an inertial guidance system coupled with radar correlation and a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system that is capable of striking with an accuracy of 50 m CEP. It has a length of 12.3 m, a diameter of 1.4 m, and a launch weight of 15,200 kg. The missile uses a two-stage solid propellant engine. Two flight tests were made in July and December 2002 with decoys, although some reports referred to these as multiple warheads, which was denied by the Chinese. If these reports are true, these decoys would substantially increase the missile’s capabilities against a US-style missile interception system, which would be forced to waste its limited number of interception missiles on decoys, rather than the actual warhead.
The CSS-5 is a variant of the CSS-N-3 sea-launched ballistic missile system which started development in the mid-1960s. The first CSS-5 test launch occurred in 1982 and became operational in 1987. An improved CSS-5 Mod 2 became operational in 1996. It is believed that production of the CSS-5 was approximately 35-50 in 1994 and had increased to 50-100 by 1998. It is reported that production of both versions of the CSS-5 had ceased production by 1998, but this is suspect given the fact that the Mod 2 entered production a bare two years earlier. Saudi Arabia is currently considering purchasing the CSS-5 Mod 2 to replace the CSS-2 missiles obtained from the PRC in 1987. The PLA currently deploys the CSS-5 Mod 2 in five different brigades with an average of sixty mobile launch systems each for a total of three hundred missiles (some estimates say six brigades).(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 13-14.
Pentagon Releases Report on Chinese Military Power
July 20, 2005 :: Department of Defense :: News
The Pentagon has released its annual report to Congress on Chinese military power, which describes China at “a strategic crossroads.” The 45-page report covers a host of topics, including Chinese military strategy and doctrine, the effects of military modernization, and an assessment of the security situation in the Taiwan Strait. “Questions remain about the basic choices China’s leaders will make as China’s power and influence grow, particularly its military power.” Of particular note is attention to such themes as China’s defense spending, strategic missile forces, the increasing number of short range missiles deployed near Taiwan, space policy, and the threat posed by a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse. (More »»»)
» NY Times: China’s Military Geared to Deterring Taiwan, Report Says
» Text of 2004 DOD Report on Chinese Military Power
» More stories on: China, Chinese Missile Defenses, Space-Based Systems
» Missile details: CSS-2, CSS-2A, CSS-3, CSS-4, CSS-4A, CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5, CSS-9 (DF-31), CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)
» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
China Military Exercise May Have Included Test of DF-31, Other Missiles
July 27, 2004 :: News
Two weeks ago, several reports indicated that China that it would be testing three missiles during its large military exercises preparing for an assault against Taiwan. The missiles included the DF-31 ICBM, as well as the DF-21 and the JL-2. Two Chinese news services, People’s Daily and Xinhau noted on July 22 that China had notified Russia of its intent to conduct the test during its military exercise, which have since taken place, on July 26. A subsequent report by East Asia Intel suggested that the test would not include the DF-21, since that test had apparently already taken place earlier this year.
Since there has been little media coverage of China’s exercises, it remains unclear if the missile tests were carried out as planned. (Link)
» More stories on: China, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5, CSS-9 (DF-31), CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)
Chinese Missile Tests, Wargames, to Intimidate Taiwan
July 13, 2004 :: Reuters :: News
China plans to conduct a large military exercise later this month to demonstrate its military and especially air superiority to neighboring Taiwan. The exercise to take place at Dongshan island, 150 miles from Taiwan, is said to include several ballistic missile tests as well, including the medium range DF-21 (CSS-5), the mobile, long range DF-31 (CSS-9) ICBM, and the submarine launched version of the DF-31, the JL-2 (CSS-NX-5), reports the Russian Itar-Tass news agency. One year ago, in June 2003, Bill Gertz reported that China planned to test the same three missiles in the coming month.
It is worth noting that Beijing’s test will coincide with the visit to China by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. Since China would have no need to use an ICBM against such a near target as Taiwan, one must suppose that the launch of two ICBMs, the DF-31 and JL-2, could be a signal to the United States that it should not interfere with a Chinese attack on the island.
Itar-Tass claims that the test will be of a new version of the DF-31, with an increased range and multiple warhead capability. The two land-based missiles will reportedly be fired from the Wuzhai testing ground in Shanxi Province, and will be directed at China’s northeast, the Lop Nur test range. A Chinese government report released July 4 describes the test as both the “largest scale exercise this year,” and that it is meant to serve a “substantial warning” to Taiwan. (Article, Link)
» June 30, 2003: China Set to Test Missiles
» More stories on: China, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5, CSS-9 (DF-31), CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)
China Set to Test Missiles
June 20, 2003 :: Inside the Ring (Washington Times) :: News
China is reportedly planning to test three missiles in the coming weeks, the new long-range and mobile DF-31, the medium range DF-21, and the JL-2 SLBM. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Proliferation, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5, CSS-9 (DF-31), CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)
Chinese CSS-5 Test May Have Included Anti-BMD Countermeasures
September 1, 2002 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
The September 1 edition of Janes Missiles and Rockets reports that the early July test of their CSS-5 ballistic missile (range 2,150-2,500km) may have included the test of countermeasures, desinged to overcome ballistic missile defenses, such as those the United States will deploy around 2004-2005, after the June 13, 2002 withdrawal from the ABM Treaty.
If true, the timing of the test of countermeasures may very likely suggest a “message” to the United States that China will do all within its power to retain a strong offensive nuclear capability against America.
Janes cites US press reports that the missile test involved the deploying of six or seven decoy warheads besides its main payload warhead. The CSS-5 can carry a high explosive or a nuclear warhead of up to 300 kT yield.
This particular test of the CSS-5, or DF-21, began with a launch from the Jiangxi province and traveling some 1,300 km into the Kansu province. The DF-21 has a solid propellant, more advanced than liquid propellants and capable of much faster launch readiness.
According to Janes, China’s IRBM force is said to be located in the provinces of Datong in central China, Jianshui in southern China, Tonghua in northeast China, and Lianxiwang in western China. (Link)
» More stories on: China, Technology, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5
