DF-3A

DF-3A/CSS-2(US)
Type	IRBM
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	1971
Specifications
Warhead	1 Nuclear @ 3.3 T
Operational range	4,000 km[1]
Speed	?

The DF-3A is a Chinese liquid-fueled, single-stage, medium-range nuclear ballistic missile that entered service in 1971. DF-3A is the oldest missile in China's inventory and is nearing retirement after four decades of service.^[2]

It is currently being retired and was inaccurately predicted to have been removed from China's missile arsenal in 2002.^{[citation needed]} In 1987 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) outmoded DF-3 missiles to Saudi Arabia, minus their nuclear warheads.^{[citation needed]}

History

Deployment of the missile began in 1971 reaching a peak of 110 by 1984, then shrinking to 50 in 1993.^{[citation needed]} It is estimated by the U.S. DoD that there are 17 missiles and 10 launchers in operation as of 2010 under a single brigade.^[2] The DF-21 will replace these missiles as they retire.

References

1. ^ http://www.sinodefence.com/space/missile/df3.asp
2. ^ ^{a b} Chinese nuclear forces, 2010. Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

Preceded by DF-3

DF-3A

Succeeded by DF-4