DF-3A
{{short description|Intermediate-range ballistic missile}}
{{redirects|CSS-2|the document markup language version|CSS#CSS 2}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=DF-3A/CSS-2(US)
|image=DF-3 misil.svg
| image_size = 120
|caption=
|origin= China
|type=IRBM
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|service=1971–2014 (China)
1988–present (Saudi Arabia)
|used_by=China, Saudi Arabia
|engine=liquid fueled (4x YF-1 rocket engines)
|weight=
|length=24 m
|diameter=
|wingspan=
|speed=
|vehicle_range=4,000-5,000 km{{cite report |page=5 |url=https://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 |title=Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat |id=NASIC-1031-0985-17 |publisher=Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee |date=1 June 2017 |access-date=16 July 2017}}
|altitude=
|filling=Nuclear, possibly 3 × {{cvt|50|-|100|ktonTNT|PJ|lk=in}} warheads or 1 × {{cvt|700|-|3000|ktonTNT|PJ}} warhead
|guidance=Astro-inertial guidance
|accuracy=0.6-2.4 miles (1000-4000 m) CEP{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/china/theater/df-3a.htm|title = DF-3A - China Nuclear Forces}}
|detonation=
|launch_platform=
}}
Image:PLA ballistic missiles range.jpg
The DF-3A (NATO: CSS-2) is a Chinese liquid-fueled, single-stage, nuclear intermediate-range ballistic missile that entered service in 1971.{{Cite journal |last=Norris |first=Robert S. |last2=Kristensen |first2=Hans M. |author-link2=Hans M. Kristensen |date=November 2010 |title=Chinese nuclear forces, 2010 |journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists |language=en |volume=66 |issue=6 |pages=134–141 |doi=10.1177/0096340210387046 |issn=0096-3402 |doi-access=free}}
In 1988 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) DF-3A missiles to Saudi Arabia.{{cite report |url=https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Research/Staff%20Report_China%27s%20Reported%20Ballistic%20Missile%20Sale%20to%20Saudi%20Arabia_0.pdf |title=China's Reported Ballistic Missile Sale to Saudi Arabia: Background and Potential Implications |last=Meick |first=Ethan |publisher=U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=16 July 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24823846 |title=Saudi nuclear weapons 'on order' from Pakistan |author=Mark Urban |publisher=BBC |date=6 November 2013 |access-date=7 November 2013}} Saudi Arabia publicly displayed them for the first time in 2014.{{cite news |url=http://defense-update.com/20140502_saudi-arabia-unveils-part-strategic-missile-force-deterrent-move-iran.html |title=Saudi Arabia unveils part of strategic missile force - a deterrent move against Iran? |publisher=Defense Update |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=9 May 2014}}
History
Deployment of the missile began in 1971,{{cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/theater/df-3a.htm |title=DF-3A / CSS-2 |publisher=Federation of American Scientists |access-date=31 January 2014}} reaching a peak of 110 by 1984, then shrinking to 50 in 1993.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} 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. 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.[http://fas.org/blogs/security/2014/05/dengshaheupgrade/ Chinese Nuclear Missile Upgrade Near Dalian] - Fas.org, 21 May 2014
Users
;{{CHN}}: People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
;{{SAU}}: Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force
References
{{Reflist}}
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{{succession box|title=DF-3A |before=DF-3 |after=DF-4 |years=}}
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{{Chinese missiles|state=collapsed}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
Category:Ballistic missiles of the People's Republic of China
Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles