| Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Associated Country: |
Iran, Pakistan, Libya, Syria, Egypt |
| Alternate Name: |
DF-15/M-9 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
9.10 m |
| Diameter: |
1.00 m |
| Launch Weight: |
6200 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 500 kg |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 90 kT, HE, chemical, EMP, submunitions |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage solid |
| Range: |
600 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
~1990 |
Details
The CSS-6 is a short-range, road mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile built in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It is a member of the M family, which began development in 1984. The M type missiles were developed specifically for the purpose of export, and are sold with high explosive warheads. It is believed that the CSS-6, otherwise known as the M-9, was developed for Pakistan and that the CSS-7, or M-11, was created for Syria. The CSS-6 was adopted by the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) as the DF-15 and integrated into the PRC’s armed forces. The CSS-6 is essentially an improved ‘Scud’ missile design.
The tactical use of the CSS-6 is similar to the use of Iraqi ‘Scuds’ in the Gulf War. This involves using the missiles to strike at military targets or to bombard civilian areas outside the range of traditional ordinance. This takes advantage of the range and mobility of the missile’s Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle. The CSS-6 has double the range of the older ‘Scud’ system, but lacks the previous payload capacity. This lower payload is compensated for by the use of modern high explosives (HE) or nuclear weapons, which results in equivalent damage. The original system was equipped with an inaccurate inertial guidance system that was only sufficient for use against large targets such as airfields, staging areas and military bases. Later versions coupled the inertial guidance with a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, making the missile a viable asset for attacking hardened targets or moving military units. These missiles have insufficient range for use as a strategic asset, but are effective at tactical use, particularly against India and the Republic of China (ROC). In the event of an invasion of Taiwan, they will likely be deployed against crucial defense facilities as well as naval units, airbases, and missile launchers.
The CSS-6 is capable of rapid targeting and does not require wind corrections before launch, due to its inertial guidance system and onboard digital computer. The ability to ignore the wind, combined with the hinged doors on the TEL vehicle top which protect the missiles from the environment allows the CSS-6 to be effectively deployed anywhere in the PRC. The eight-wheeled TEL system and the use of solid propellant makes the system capable of being quickly transported and launched. It also makes the missile difficult to target and destroy, both before and after a missile launch.
The CSS-6 can deliver a payload of 500 kg up to a maximum range of 600 km (373 miles). A 2003 report, however, states that an 800 km range missile was under development. It would probably have a reduced payload. In 2005 it was reported that a more accurate version was being built. Its payload carries a single separating warhead which can be equipped with a 90 kT nuclear device, HE, chemical agents, submunitions, fuel-air explosives (FAE) or an electromagnetic pulse. It is possible that the nuclear device can have a selectable yield of 20 kT, 90 kT, and 150 kT, enabling the missile commander to change the yield based on the target. The missile has an accuracy of 300 m CEP for older models and 30-45 m CEP for the newer GPS upgraded systems. The missile is 9.1 m in length with a diameter of 1.0 m and a launch weight of 6,200 kg.
The M family of export missiles is believed to have entered development in 1984, with the CSS-6 originally designated as the M-9. The first flight test occurred in 1988. The CSS-6 was later adopted by the PLA, and probably entered service in 1990. The modified version with a GPS guidance entered service in 1996. In 1995, the PRC test launched six CSS-6 missiles off the coast of Taiwan, and launched another four in 1996. The most recent flight tests were made in March 2004. While the PRC reports two brigades with less than one hundred missiles, it is estimated that as many as 360 CSS-6 missiles were in service with the PRC by the end of 2005, with final planned production of 400.
The export numbers for the CSS-6 are extensive. Unconfirmed reports suggest that in 1989, Libya bought around 140 CSS-6 missiles and passed 80 of these to Syria. In addition, there is substantial evidence that either CSS-6 missiles themselves or the technology to manufacture them have been sold to Iran, Pakistan and Egypt. There is no confirmation that China delivered any of these missiles. A strong possibility exists that both Serbia and North Korea have also deployed these missiles. However, it is important to note that none of these reports regarding the export of CSS-6 missiles have been confirmed.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 14-16.
Taiwan to Deploy Home-Grown Missile Shield
September 13, 2006 :: AFP :: News
Taiwan will introduce a new home-grown missile defense shield next year, reports the AFP. The article quotes Taiwan’s Apple Daily newspaper, which states that the shield, known as the Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM), is “expected to effectively counter the threat of China’s M-9 [CSS-6/DF-15] and M-11 [CSS-7/DF-11] ballistic missiles.” The system is believed to have evolved from Taiwan’s existing Tien Kung (Sky Bow) surface-to-air missile, and will eventually comprise 12 ATBM missiles batteries and an uncertain number of U.S.-made Patriot missiles and early warning radars. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Taiwan
» Missile details: CSS-6, CSS-7
Chen: China Has 820 Missiles Aimed at Taiwan
July 17, 2006 :: AFP :: News
China has 820 ballistic and cruise missiles currently aimed at Taiwan, according to Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian. Speaking today at a forum of Japanese scholars in Taipai, Chen stated that the People’s Liberation Army had deployed 784 ballistic and 36 cruise missiles, adding that the number of missiles is rising at a rate of 120 per year.
Chen’s figures are in line with those of the Pentagon’s 2006 Report to Congress on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, released in May 2006, which estimated the number of Chinese CSS-6 and CSS-7 short-range ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan as numbering 710-790, an increase over the previous year’s 650-730 missiles. In his statement, President Chen noted that a ten-hour Chinese bombardment could paralyze Taiwan’s communications, transportation, and command centers. He added that China has repeatedly threatened to invade Taiwan should it declare formal independence. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Taiwan
» Missile details: CSS-6, CSS-7
Pentagon Releases 2006 Report on Military Power of China
May 25, 2006 :: News
On May 23, the Pentagon released its annual report to Congress on the military power of the People’s Republic of China. The report states that China is “pursuing strategic forces modernization to provide a credible, survivable nuclear deterrent and counterstrike capability in response to its perception of an increasingly complex nuclear security environment.” In particular, China is developing forces and concepts focused on denying adversaries the ability to deploy near its borders. The most glaring example is the fact that China is “qualitatively and quantitatively improving its long-range nuclear missile force.” The report adds that China might be revising its policy of “no first use,” meaning that it is considering the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapons-free zones.
The report also notes that Chinese ballistic missile testing increased in 2005, and states that such an increase “indicat[es] the priority China places on strengthening this force.” It notes that “China’s expansion of missile and other military forces opposite Taiwan has continued unabated.” By the end of 2004, China had deployed 650-730 mobile CSS-6 and CSS-7 short-range ballistic missiles; by the end of 2005, this number had increased to 710-790. The new SRBMs are believed to feature increased range and accuracy. China is also modernizing its longer-range ballistic missile force “by qualitatively upgrading and/or replacing older systems with newer, more survivable ones,” including the DF-31, a new road-mobile, solid-propellant ICBM. The report notes that an extended-range DF-31A “can target most of the world, including the continental United States.” China is also deploying the JL-2 SLBM on its Jin-class (Type 094) ballistic missile submarines, and developing new methods to counter ballistic missiles defenses.
The Pentagon adds that China has acquired new Russian-made S-300P (SA-10) and S-400 (SA-20) air/missile defense interceptors, and has deployed them along the Taiwan Strait. China is also expected to deploy an extended range S-300PMU2, which would allow the People’s Liberation Army to engage targets over Taiwanese airspace. At the same time, China is developing “new concept” high energy weapon systems such as radio frequency and laser-based systems that could be used against missiles, aircraft, and command and control units. Evidence also exists that Beijing continues to pursue a new offensive anti-satellite system, which would most likely include a ground-based laser designed to damage or blind imaging satellites. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China
» Missile details: CSS-6, CSS-7
Taiwan: 800 Chinese Missiles Targeting Island by 2006
September 30, 2004 :: Spacewar.com :: News
Taiwanese Defense Minister Lee Jye said today that their Communist neighbor to the North is likely to have a staggering 800 ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan before the end of 2006. He noted, while speaking to a defense committee about a requested military budget, that China already has 600 short range missiles mostly within range of the small island nation.
Lee is quoted as saying that “The number of Dong Feng-11 and Dong Feng-15 ballistic missiles is expected to rise to 800 before the end of 2006.” The DF-11 is also know as the CSS-7; the DF-15 as the CSS-6.
Lee’s estimate is actually less than that put forward by Taiwanese vice president Annette Lu, who recently said that China’s SRBMs targeting Taiwan would reach 800 by 2005.
Lee also spoke of some 200 additional cruise missiles which China may fire during a potential attack, which he characterized as consisting of five waves, lasting a total of ten hours.
“Given (Taiwan’s) missile defensive capabilities, we are hardly able to cope with the threat.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: China, Taiwan
» Missile details: CSS-6, CSS-7 Mod 2, CSS-7
China Shows Off DF-15 SRBMs Deployed Near Taiwan
May 4, 2004 :: East Asia Intel :: News
China is “showing off” some of its many short-range ballistic missiles deployed off the coast of Taiwan, with a April 29 publication of DF-15 (CSS-6) pictures in the official military newspaper, PLA Daily, reports East Asia Intel.
Although the missiles are short-range (600km), the paper pointedly describes them as “strategic,” indicative of the importance China attaches to Taiwan. The PLA Daily identifies the missiles as belonging to China’s Second Artillery Corps.
The publication comes weeks before the May 20 inauguration of Taiwanese President Chen. (Article, Link)
» NYT, May 5, 2004: China displays warships in Hong Kong harbor
» More stories on: China, Taiwan
» Missile details: CSS-6
