| Country: |
Iran |
| Associated Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Alternate Name: |
DF-15/CSS-6 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
9.10 m |
| Diameter: |
1.00 m |
| Launch Weight: |
6200 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 320 kg |
| Warhead: |
HE |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage solid |
| Range: |
800 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
Details
The M-9 is a short-range, road mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile built uder the designation DF-15 in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and which is believed to have been exported to Syria. It has not been confirmed, however, that Syria possesses M-9 missiles. The PRC has mass-produced the M-9 for export. The M-9 can carry either a 90 kT warhead or conventional high explosives 600 km (373 miles) with an accuracy of 30-45 m CEP, though only 300 m CEP in older missiles without a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system upgrade. The solid propellant, mobile launched missile can be easily moved and quickly launched in adverse conditions.
The tactical use of the M-9 is similar to the use of Iraqi 'Scuds' in the Gulf War. This involves using the missiles to strike at large military targets or to bombard a civilian area outside the range of traditional ordinance. This takes advantage of the range and mobility of the missile's Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle. The M-9 has double the range of the older 'Scud', but lacks the payload capacity. The lack of payload is compensated for by more modern high explosives or nuclear weapons, which yield equivalent damage. The modern GPS/inertial guidance systems make these missiles highly accurate and viable assets for targeting moving military targets.
The M-9 is capable of rapid targeting and does not require wind corrections before launch. This is due to its inertial guidance, as well as the digital computer that is onboard. There are unconfirmed reports that the section with the separating warhead has the ability of making altitude adjustments prior to its reentry and to adjust its terminal trajectory. The M-9 is 9.1 m in length with a diameter of 1.0 m and a launch weight of 6,200 kg. A report in 2003, however, stated that an 800 km range version was under development. In 2005 it was reported that a more accurate version is being developed; it will probably have a reduced payload.(1)
Should one exist, a Syrian version of the M-9 would probably be similar to the Iranian variant, which is believed to have a reduced payload of 320 kg in favor of a range extended to 800 km (497 miles). It could be launched from 'Scud B' TEL vehicles with only minor modifications and would likely be deployed in Syrian 'Scud B' TEL vehicles already in service. The export numbers for the M-9 are extensive. Reliable reports suggest that in 1989, Libya bought around 140 M-9 missiles and passed 80 of these onto Syria. It is unknown whether the order was completed, but it is believed that China cancelled the order to ease pressure from the United States. As M-9 missiles or related technologies have been sold to Iran, Pakistan and Egypt, it is possible for the missiles to have been purchased elsewhere. However, there have been no confirmed reports regarding the export of CSS-6 missiles.
Further information regarding the M-9 can be found in the description of the PRC DF-15/CSS-6.
Footnote
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 14-16.
