| Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Associated Country: |
Iran |
| Alternate Name: |
M-7, Project 8610 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
10.80 m |
| Diameter: |
1.00 m |
| Launch Weight: |
2650 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 190 or 250 kg |
| Warhead: |
HE, chemical, submunitions |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage solid |
| Range: |
50-150 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1992 |
Details
The CSS-8 is a short-range, road mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile produced in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It is a member of the M family of missiles, which were developed specifically for export. The CSS-8, also called the M-7, is effectively a modified Russian S-75 (SA-2) surface-to-air missile. It was probably selected for development as an export platform because the majority of the cost of its development had already been sustained by the Soviet Union, offering a higher marginal profit per unit. An added advantage is that client nations typically have existing support infrastructure for the ubiquitous SA-2, which can then be used for the CSS-8. The CSS-8 was deployed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The CSS-8 is a tactical missile designed for deployment against military targets. It can only carry a light payload and is not believed to be equipped with a nuclear warhead. The CSS-8 could only be used against population centers if deployed in numbers which would not justify the cost. It is far more effective for deployment against military targets. It can be deployed against targets out of range of field ordinance and can strike targets such as air bases and military staging areas. Depending on its accuracy, it might have the capability to effectively attack military units with submunitions or chemical agents, but it is doubtful it could do this with a high-explosive (HE) warhead. It is unlikely that it has sufficient accuracy and payload to be used against hardened targets, even if it was equipped with a nuclear warhead. The PRC probably deploys the CSS-8 on the borders of India or Taiwan, to be in a position to attack military targets in case of an outbreak of hostilities.
The CSS-8 can deploy its payload to any range between 50 and 150 km (31 and 93 miles). Its payload is typically equipped with a single 190 or 250 kg HE warhead. It is probable that submunitions and chemical agent warheads exist to increase battlefield effectiveness. The missile is 10.8 m in length, has a maximum diameter of 0.65 m and has a launch weight of 2,650 kg. The missile uses an inertial guidance system that receives command updates from the launcher; however, its accuracy is unknown. The accuracy is probably in the area of 50 or 100 m CEP, given that it is a short-range and relatively modern system. It uses a two-stage solid propellant engine.
The M family of missiles began development in 1984, but the CSS-8 program traces its roots back decades earlier. The SA-2 SAM was originally sold to the PRC in the 1950s, with a domestically produced PRC version called the HQ-1 being developed sometime between 1961 and 1964. An improved version designated the HQ-2 entered service in 1967, which was used as the basis for the CSS-8 program in 1985. The CSS-8 has been operational since approximately 1992. An estimated 5,000 HQ-2 surface-to-air missiles were produced and it is considered possible that anywhere between 100 and 500 HQ-2 SAMs were converted to CSS-8 ballistic missiles.
There appears to be connections between the terminated North Korean S-75 (SA-2) ballistic missile and the CSS-8. It is believed, however, that this program has been terminated. Croatia, Iran and Serbia have been noted to adapt the North Korean SA-2 for their own missile development. It is believed the PRC exported around 90 CSS-8 missiles to Iran in 1992 and 110 more a few years later.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 18-19.
2009 Report on Chinese Military Power
March 26, 2009 :: Department of Defense :: News
The Defense Department this week released its 2009 report, Military Power of the People's Republic of China, as mandated by Congress. The annual report describes China's continued development and deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the development of a new class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, and the steady increase of medium range ballistic missiles near both the China-India border and the Chinese coast near Taiwan. China also continues to pursue both counterspace and cyberwarfare capabilities, which could threaten America's considerable reliance upon space and electronic assets.
As it does every year, the Chinese government reacted negatively to the report. Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang suggested that the United States "drop the Cold War thinking and prejudices, stop releasing such China military reports and stop the groundless accusations over China."
Ballistic and Cruise Missiles
China, the report observes, "has the most active land-based ballistic and cruise missile program in the world."
One highlight of China's missile efforts is the development of an anti-ship variant of the CSS-5 ballistic missile. This anti-ship missile has a considerable range, of some 1,500 km. Its final stage is designed for maneuverable reentry, making its target more difficult to anticipate, and thus complicating defense against the missile. Such a missile could enhance the Chinese ability to attack ships at sea, including for example American aircraft carriers in the Taiwan Strait.
Unchanged from the 2008 report, China continues to deploy road-mobile solid-fueled ICBMs—most notably the DF-31A, which brings within range any location in the continental United States. The DF-31 and DF-31A are the newest and most sophisticated ICBMs in China's arsenal. Their mobility and solid-fuel engines also make them among the most survivable.
The Pentagon's estimate of China's inventory of CSS-2, CSS-3, CSS-4, DF-31, DF-31A and CSS-5 ballistic missiles remains unchanged in number from last year. China has, however, increased its inventory since 2007 of CSS-6s (from 315-355 to 350-400), of CSS-7s (from 675-715 to 700-750), and of DH-10 cruise missiles (from 50-250 to 150-350).
The JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is still being developed. Once completed, the JL-2 will be deployed aboard new JIN-class (Type 094) submarines. With a range of 7,200 km, the JL-2 would give China its "first credible sea-based nuclear strike capability."
China's industrial ability to produce and upgrade short- and medium-range ballistic missiles has also increased. The Pentagon estimates China could significantly increase the number of short range missiles it produces each year, and could even double the annual output of medium range missiles. The increased production capability may be designed to create a missile export market, thereby proliferating such systems abroad.
China continues to expand the force opposite Taiwan; seven brigades are now stationed nearby, comprising a total of 1,050-1,150 CSS-6 and CSS-7 short range missiles. China continues to augment its missiles within striking distance of Taiwan at the "rate of more than 100 per year."
Along its border with India, China has replaced its older liquid-fueled nuclear-capable CSS-3 intermediate range missiles with more sophisticated solid-fueled CSS-5 medium range missiles.
China continues to produce and purchase an array of sophisticated and accurate cruise missiles, including the DH-10 and YJ-62 land-attack cruise missiles and the Russian SS-N-22/SUNBURN supersonic air-launched cruise missile. The SS-N-27B/SIZZLER supersonic air-launched cruise missile is placed on China's KILO-class diesel electric submarines purchased from Russia. The YJ-62C, a new variant of the YJ-62, has a range of 150 nautical miles; China has reportedly deployed 120 of these to naval bases near Taiwan.
Submarines and Ships
China's growing submarine fleet could begin to pose a threat to the United States navy. Two new SHANG-class (Type 093) nuclear-powered attack submarines and one JIN-class (Type 094) submarine, previously scheduled to enter service last year, are now operational. The JIN-class is of particular interest, as it will be the deployment vehicle for the JL-2 ballistic missile now in development.
These newer submarines will supplement China's four older HAN-class nuclear attack submarines and China's one XIA-class sub. The DoD estimates that China has 13 SONG-class (Type 039) diesel-electric attack submarines, designed to carry the YJ-82 (CH-SS-N-7) anti-ship cruise missile. The next generation attack submarine is the YUAN-class SS: one of these is already operational and another is undergoing sea trials. Judging from China's purchase of diesel engines from Germany, the report estimates that China plans to build up to 15 additional YUAN-class attack submarines.
China's guided-missile destroyers have been hardened and are being given anti-aircraft capabilities, including both Russian and indigenous surface to air missiles (SAMs). These include the Russian SA-N-20 long-range SAM and China's own medium-range HHQ-16, a vertically launched naval SAM under development.
Space and Counterspace
Since China successfully tested a direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon in January 2007 using a ballistic missile, China has continued to pursue ASAT capabilities. The 2009 report describes China's interest in counterspace systems as "more than theoretical. In addition to the ‘kinetic kill' capability demonstrated by the ASAT test, the PLA is developing the ability to jam, blind, or otherwise disable satellites and their terrestrial support infrastructure."
China placed fifteen satellites into orbit in 2008, including four new remote sensing satellites, a manned spacecraft and a companion satellite, three communications satellites, and two satellites for meteorology. In April 2008, China launched its first data relay satellite, the TianLian-1.
Construction has begun for a new rocket launch facility near Wenchang to eventually place heavier payloads in space using its March V booster rocket (the world's largest) still in development.
China's first lunar probe, the Chang'e-1, continues to operate successfully. Its successor will launch in 2009 and will survey the moon surface. China, however, continues to "remain silent about the military applications of [its] space programs and counterspace activities."
Cyberwarfare
China continues to experiment with cyberwarfare. The PRC appears to have been the source of numerous cyber intrusions during 2008, including against computer systems owned by the U.S. Government. These hacks were intended to extract information rather than attack, but the logistics and skill-set required for each activity are similar.
Spending
China's defense spending grew 18% in 2008. China reports its annual military budget as $60 billion, but this number is widely recognized as understated. Pentagon estimates of actual military spending range from $105 to $150 billion. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Analysis, China, Cruise Missiles, Taiwan
» Missile details: CSS-3, CSS-4, CSS-4A, CSS-5, CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-6, CSS-7, CSS-7 Mod 2, CSS-8, CSS-9 (DF-31), CSS-N-3, CSS-N-3 Mod 1, CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)
