Missile Dongfeng DF-31 / CSS-10

The People's Republic of China initiated the development of this intercontinental ballistic missile in January 1985. Originally conceived as a land-based variant of the JL-2 and designated DF-23, its name was later changed to DF-31 following adjustments in operational requirements. The missile was first showcased to the public in 1999, with Chinese state media reporting its successful test in August of that year. Further test flights occurred in 2000.

The DF-31 is a three-stage, solid-fuel rocket. It is designed to deliver a single thermonuclear warhead with a significant yield. An improved variant, the DF-31A, possesses an enhanced range, enabling it to target a broader geographical area, and was designed with the capability to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV), potentially holding three to five warheads each of a smaller yield, though it is believed to be typically armed with a single warhead complemented by penetration aids and decoys. This upgraded version can also deploy maneuverable reentry vehicles. A subsequent iteration, known as the DF-31AG or DF-31B, also features MIRV capabilities and is transported on an off-road capable TEL, indicative of potentially heavier second and third missile stages compared to its predecessors.

Operated by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, the DF-31 is a road-mobile system. Its operational deployment is reported to have commenced in 2006. Estimates from 2009 indicated a deployment of fewer than fifteen DF-31 and fewer than fifteen DF-31A missiles. By mid-2017, intelligence assessments suggested that a small number of DF-31 (Mod 1) launchers and a somewhat larger contingent of DF-31A (Mod 2) launchers were operationally deployed. The DF-31AG/DF-31B variant, characterized by its 8-axle transporter erector launcher designed for off-road mobility, has undergone successful testing from a mobile platform and was officially displayed at a military parade in 2017.