Missile Dongfeng DF-3

The Dong Feng 3A, also known by its NATO reporting name CSS-2, is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that originated in the People's Republic of China. As a liquid-fueled, single-stage system designed for nuclear payload delivery, its introduction into service in 1971 marked a significant development in China's strategic offensive capabilities. This missile provided Beijing with a credible long-range nuclear deterrent during the Cold War.

The DF-3A possesses an operational range estimated between 4,000 and 5,000 kilometers. Its strategic purpose is underscored by its nuclear armament, which consists of either three warheads, each with a yield between 50 and 100 kilotons, or a single large warhead with a yield potentially reaching up to 3 megatons. The missile is powered by a liquid-fueled engine system, comprising four YF-1 rocket engines within its single-stage design.

Deployment of the DF-3A within China commenced in 1971, with the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force reaching an inventory of approximately 110 missiles by 1984. By 2014, the last Chinese unit equipped with the DF-3A had completed its conversion to the more modern DF-21 missile system, effectively retiring it from Chinese service.