DF-3A

"CSS-2" redirects here. For the document markup language version, see CSS § CSS 2.
DF-3A/CSS-2(US)
TypeIRBM
Place of originChina
Service history
In service1971-2014 (China)
Used byChina, Saudi Arabia
Specifications
Length24 m
WarheadNuclear, possibly 3 × 50–100 kt (0.21–0.42 PJ) warheads or 1 × 700–3,000 kt (2.9–12.6 PJ) warhead[1]
Engineliquid fueled (4x YF-1 rocket engines)
Operational
range
4,000-5,000 km[2][3]
Guidance
system
Astro-inertial guidance
Accuracy0.6-2.4 miles (1000-4000 m) CEP[4]
Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-3A range in Orange.

The DF-3A (NATO: CSS-2) is a Chinese liquid-fueled, single-stage, nuclear medium-range ballistic missile that entered service in 1971.[5]

In 1988 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) DF-3A missiles to Saudi Arabia.[3][6] Saudi Arabia publicly displayed them for the first time in 2014.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference FAS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat (Report). Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee. 1 June 2017. p. 5. NASIC-1031-0985-17. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b Meick, Ethan (16 June 2014). China's Reported Ballistic Missile Sale to Saudi Arabia: Background and Potential Implications (PDF) (Report). U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  4. ^ "DF-3A - China Nuclear Forces".
  5. ^ Chinese nuclear forces, 2010. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
  6. ^ Mark Urban (6 November 2013). "Saudi nuclear weapons 'on order' from Pakistan". BBC. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  7. ^ "Saudi Arabia unveils part of strategic missile force - a deterrent move against Iran?". Defense Update. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.