DF-3A

"CSS-2" redirects here. For the document markup language version, see CSS § CSS 2.

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

DF-3A/CSS-2(US)
Type	IRBM
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	1971–2014 (China) 1988–present (Saudi Arabia)
Used by	China, Saudi Arabia
Specifications
Length	24 m
Warhead	Nuclear, possibly 3 × 50–100 kt (0.21–0.42 PJ) warheads or 1 × 700–3,000 kt (2.9–12.6 PJ) warhead[1]
Engine	liquid fueled (4x YF-1 rocket engines)
Operational range	4,000-5,000 km[2][3]
Guidance system	Astro-inertial guidance
Accuracy	0.6-2.4 miles (1000-4000 m) CEP[4]

Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-3A range in Orange.

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]

History

Deployment of the missile began in 1971,^[1] reaching a peak of 110 by 1984, then shrinking to 50 in 1993.^{[citation needed]} It was estimated by the U.S. DoD that there were 17 missiles and 10 launchers in operation as of 2010 under a single brigade.^[5] By May 2014, it appeared that the last unit operating the DF-3A completed conversion to the DF-21 missile from satellite photos of changes to the launch unit site.^[8]

Users

 China

People's Liberation Army Rocket Force

 Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force