DF-31#DF-31A

The PRC began developing the DF-31 ICBM in January 1985.{{Cite journal|last=Diamond|first=Howard|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-45738834|title=Chinese Strategic Plans Move Forward with Missile Test|journal=Arms Control Today|publisher=Arms Control Association|date=July 1, 1999|issn=0196-125X|access-date=|url-access=|via=|archive-date=October 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019145142/https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-45738834|url-status=dead}} ARMT (then called the 4th Aerospace Academy) was appointed as the main contractor while the research arm of the Second Artillery Corps (SAC) which, provided contributing support. The land-based variant of the JL-2 was originally called the DF-23 but was changed later on to the DF-31 because of a change in operational requirements. In 1999, the missile was first displayed publicly at the National Day Parade.The Federation of American Scientists &

The Natural Resources Defense Council (DF-31A) Nov, 2006. 73 (PDF)[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/Book2006.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428102539/http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/Book2006.pdf |date=2011-04-28 }} On August 2, 1999, the Chinese state news media reported the successful test of the DF-31. The third test flight of the missile occurred on November 4, 2000; the second test flight had taken place earlier that year.{{Cite news|last=Gertz|first=Bill|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-67919154|title=Pentagon Confirms China's Missile Test|newspaper=The Washington Times|date=December 13, 2000|access-date=|url-access= |via=}}{{dead link|date=July 2021}} Operational deployment of the missiles reportedly began in 2006.{{cite news |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1411310/chinas-nuclear-missile-drill-seen-warning-us-not-meddle-region |title=China's nuclear missile drill seen as warning to US not to meddle in region |author=Minnie Chan |newspaper=South China Morning Post |date=23 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014 |archive-date=23 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123173816/http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1411310/chinas-nuclear-missile-drill-seen-warning-us-not-meddle-region |url-status=live }} In 2009, US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31 missiles had been deployed.US Air Force Air and Space Intelligence Center, Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threats 2009 [http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/naic/NASIC2009.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315012323/http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/naic/NASIC2009.pdf |date=2023-03-15 }}

The DF-31 is a three stage solid-fuel rocket equipped with an inertial navigation system. The missile is mounted on a transporter erector launcher. It is capable of reaching targets throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of Canada and the northwestern United States.

The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF-31 called the DF-31A. This upgraded missile has a reported range of 13,200 km, will allow targeting of most of the continental United States and was designed with MIRV capability to hold 3 to 5 warheads, each capable of a 90 kt yield, but is thought to be armed with only one warhead with penetration and decoy aids to complicate missile defense efforts.

The missile was shown to the public during the parade in Beijing celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II on September 3, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC8jyxbBfRM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313042519/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC8jyxbBfRM |archive-date=2016-03-13 |url-status=dead|title=China Shows Off Its Military Power on V-Day 70th Parade; Strategic Strikes Module Displays Missiles |last=World TV|date=3 September 2015|via=YouTube}} It can carry maneuverable reentry vehicles.{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/09/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-grand-military-parade/|title=Here's What You Need to Know About China's Grand Military Parade|first=Franz-Stefan Gady, The|last=Diplomat|website=The Diplomat|access-date=2019-04-09|archive-date=2023-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326213208/https://thediplomat.com/2015/09/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-grand-military-parade/|url-status=live}}

The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF-31A called the DF-31AG (G stands for 改 (Gaï), "modified){{cite web|url=http://www.eastpendulum.com/nouvel-icbm-mobile-df-31ag|title=Qui est ce nouvel ICBM mobile DF-31AG ?|first=Henri|last=KENHMANN|date=24 July 2017|access-date=9 November 2018|archive-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110004555/http://www.eastpendulum.com/nouvel-icbm-mobile-df-31ag|url-status=live}} or DF-31B with an off-road 8 axle TEL and MIRVs.{{cite news |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1609120/china-puts-show-force-df-31b-mobile-icbm-missile-test |title=China puts on show of force with DF-31B mobile ICBM missile test |author=Minnie Chan |newspaper=South China Morning Post |date=4 October 2014 |access-date=10 October 2014}}[http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/china-tests-10000km-range-nuclear-missile/article6471453.ece China tests 10000 km nuclear missile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227090917/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/china-tests-10000km-range-nuclear-missile/article6471453.ece |date=2017-02-27 }} 4. October 2014 China has successfully tested it from a mobile launcher.[http://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/china_has_successfully_test-launch_of_df-31b_intercontinental_ballistic_missile_from_mobile_launcher.htm "China has successfully test-launch of DF-31B intercontinental ballistic missile from mobile launcher] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205815/http://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/china_has_successfully_test-launch_of_df-31b_intercontinental_ballistic_missile_from_mobile_launcher.htm |date=2015-04-02 }} 19. March 2015 The missile's TEL features an extra pair of elevators near the aft of the missile unlike the TELs of the DF-31 or DF-31A, suggesting a heavier missile second and third stage than earlier variants.{{Cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/49693/evidence-emerges-of-possible-df-31-icbm-variant|title=Janes | Latest defence and security news|access-date=2016-02-24|archive-date=2015-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116062933/http://www.janes.com/article/49693/evidence-emerges-of-possible-df-31-icbm-variant?|url-status=live}} On the military parade marking the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army in 2017, DF-31AG ICBM was officially demonstrated.{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/missiles/df_31ag.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815032318if_/http://www.military-today.com/missiles/df_31ag.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 15, 2017|title=DF-31AG - Intercontinental ballistic missile}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web |url= https://thediplomat.com/2014/04/chinas-nuclear-modernization-and-the-end-of-nuclear-opacity/ |title=China's Nuclear Modernization and the End of Nuclear Opacity |first= Nicolas |last=Giacometti |work=thediplomat.com |date=10 April 2014 |access-date=12 April 2014}}

• [http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/dong-feng-31/ CSIS Missile Threat – Dong Feng-31]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20030904122441/http://astronautix.com/lvs/df31.htm Encyclopedia Astronautica]

{{Chinese missiles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Df-31}}

Category:Intercontinental ballistic missiles of the People's Republic of China

Category:Nuclear missiles of the People's Republic of China

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s