| Country: |
Iran |
| Associated Country: |
People's Republic of China |
| Alternate Name: |
DF-15/CSS-6 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
Approx 9.1 m |
| Diameter: |
Approx 1.0 m |
| Launch Weight: |
Unknown kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 320 kg |
| Warhead: |
HE |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage solid |
| Range: |
800 km |
| Status: |
Unknown |
Details
The M-9 is a short-range, road-mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile built under the designation DF-15 in the People's Republic of China (PRC). In addition to being sold to Iran, they are believed to have been exported to Syria. The M-9 is the PRC classification for the export of the DF-19. 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 nuclear warhead or conventional high explosives over a distance of 600 km (373 miles) with an accuracy of 30-45 m CEP.This accuracy is decreased, however, to 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 Chinese 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. Reports indicate the weapon will be equipped with a seperating warhead for increased accuracy. Unconfirmed reports indicate 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. The exact specifications of the Iranian version are unknown, but the would most likely vary in a limited fashion from the original Chinese design, which is reflected in the specification approximation.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. Syria has made visible confirmation of the reciept of the system, but it was at one point 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.
Reports confirm two tests of this weapon system inside Iran. The first is attributed to Chinese demonstration of the weapon in 1991, surrounding the time it was most likely purchased. The second is attributed to independent Iranian testing in 1996. It is currently unclear whether this weapon system has been operationally deployed in Iran. The Chinese and Syrian versions of this system are clearly operational but due to the lack of consistent public display, reports from 1996 on suggest possible termination of the Iranian program.2
Further information relating 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, 69.
- Anthony Cordesman, Martin Keliber, "Iran's Military Forces and Warfighting capabilities: The Threat in the Northern Gulf," 2007, Praeger Security International, http://0-psi.praeger.com/, Accessed 6 june 2008
- "Iran/China in Secret Missile Project," Flight International, 19 May 1993, www.flightglobal.com/, Accessed on 6 June 2008.
