Ballistic Missile
DF-26
The DF-26 (NATO: CSS-18) is a Chinese road-mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile made by CALT and in service since about 2016. With a range of roughly 3,000–4,000 km and both nuclear and conventional payloads, it is nicknamed the “Guam killer”.
China|China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)Overview
The DF-26 was first shown at the 3 September 2015 parade in Beijing and entered service around 2016. It is about 14 m long, weighs roughly 20 t and uses inertial and BeiDou guidance on a road-mobile launcher. Its range is commonly given as 3,000–4,000 km, enough to reach Guam from the Chinese mainland. The payload is about 1,200–1,800 kg and can be nuclear or conventional, with Chinese media describing interchangeable warheads.
An anti-ship variant with a manoeuvring warhead is intended to hit aircraft carriers. In August 2020, US reports said China fired DF-26B and DF-21D missiles into the South China Sea in a test aimed at carrier groups. Updated variants appeared at the 2025 parade, though open sources document them poorly. The PLA Rocket Force is the only operator and there are no exports. Related systems include the shorter-range DF-21D, the DF-17 hypersonic missile and, for comparison, Russia’s Oreshnik.
Key Specifications
Variants
The original DF-26 is the road-mobile intermediate-range missile first shown in 2015 with nuclear or conventional warheads.
The DF-26B is the variant linked to anti-ship testing in the South China Sea in 2020, according to US reports.
The DF-26D is an updated version shown around the 2025 parade, with details poorly documented in open sources.
Operators
ChinaFrequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the DF-26?
The DF-26 has a range of about 3,000–4,000 km, according to commonly cited estimates. That covers Guam and much of the Western Pacific from the Chinese mainland. China does not publish official figures.
Can the DF-26 hit Guam?
Yes, the DF-26 can hit Guam. The distance from the Chinese mainland is about 3,800 km, within its estimated 3,000–4,000 km range. That is why the missile is nicknamed the “Guam killer”.
Is the DF-26 nuclear?
The DF-26 is dual-capable, meaning it can carry either a nuclear or a conventional warhead of about 1,200–1,800 kg. An anti-ship variant with a manoeuvring warhead is also reported. Exact configurations are estimates.
What is the DF-26 used for?
The DF-26 is used to strike land targets and ships at medium range, including US bases in the Western Pacific and aircraft carriers. In August 2020 China reportedly fired DF-26B and DF-21D missiles at the South China Sea.
DF-26 vs DF-21D: what is the difference?
The DF-26 has a range of about 4,000 km and a heavier payload, while the DF-21D is a shorter-range anti-ship ballistic missile with a range of about 1,500 km. The DF-26 can also strike land targets as far away as Guam.
Which countries have the DF-26?
Only China operates the DF-26, through the PLA Rocket Force. The missile has not been exported. It first appeared at the 3 September 2015 parade and again in updated forms at the 2025 parade.
