Ballistic Missile
DF-21D
The DF-21D is a road-mobile anti-ship ballistic missile made by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology in China, in service since about 2010. It has a range of over 1,500 km and is designed to hit moving aircraft carriers.
China|CASC China Academy of Launch Vehicle TechnologyWhat Is the DF-21D? Overview, History and Development
The DF-21D developed from the DF-21 family, with NATO name CSS-5 Mod 5, as a two-stage solid-fuel missile. It carries a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle with a radar and possibly an optical seeker, with a terminal speed of about Mach 10 (hedged). It weighs about 14,700 kg, is 10.7 m long and 1.4 m wide, with a conventional warhead of about 600 kg. The US Defense Department gives a range of over 1,500 km, and other sources say 1,450–1,800 km.
US reports assessed initial operating capability around 2010, and China showed the DF-21D at its 2015 parade. In August 2020 the PLA reportedly fired the DF-21D and the DF-26B into the South China Sea. Effectiveness against moving ships is unproven in combat and depends on a chain of satellites, over-the-horizon radar and drones. The PLA Rocket Force is the only operator, with an estimated 100 or more launchers (hedged). The DF-26, with about 4,000 km range, is a longer-range counterpart.
DF-21D Specifications: Range, Speed, Warhead and Guidance
DF-21D Variants and Versions Compared
The original medium-range solid-fuel missile family from which the anti-ship version was developed.
A conventional land-attack member of the DF-21 family.
The anti-ship version with a manoeuvrable warhead, designed to strike moving warships at long range.
Which Countries Use the DF-21D? Operators and Users
ChinaDF-21D FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does the DF-21D cost?
The DF-21D has no published price. China does not disclose costs, and the missile has not been exported.
What is the range of the DF-21D?
The DF-21D has a range of over 1,500 km, according to the US Department of Defense, while other sources give 1,450 to 1,800 km. It is designed to hit moving ships at that distance.
Why is the DF-21D called the carrier killer?
The DF-21D is called the carrier killer because it is an anti-ship ballistic missile designed to hit aircraft carriers at long range. Its effectiveness against moving ships is unproven in combat and depends on a complex targeting chain.
Is the DF-21D hypersonic?
The DF-21D reaches about Mach 10 in its terminal phase, which is hypersonic speed, but it is a ballistic missile rather than a glider. All ballistic missiles exceed Mach 5 on re-entry.
DF-21D vs DF-26: what is the difference?
The DF-21D has a range of over 1,500 km, while the DF-26 reaches about 4,000 km and is also described as an anti-ship-capable IRBM. The DF-26 can strike farther targets, including from the Chinese mainland toward Guam.
Which countries have the DF-21D?
The DF-21D is operated by China’s PLA Rocket Force only. China has not exported it, though it has sold other missiles abroad, including the DF-3 to Saudi Arabia.
