{
  "id": "df-3",
  "name": "DF-3 (Dongfeng 3)",
  "aliases": [
    "CSS-2",
    "East Wind-3"
  ],
  "domain": "missile",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Intermediate-range ballistic missile",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1971,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "SAU"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 3,
  "summary": "Designed to be China’s first modern missile, the Dongfeng 3 (DF-3/CSS-2) Chinese Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) has a range of up to 3,100 km and was deemed operational in 1971. The silo-based, single-stage, MRBM uses liquid propellant and an inertial guidance system.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "People’s Republic of China",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Basing",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Ground",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Guidance",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Inertial",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 3100,
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Accuracy (CEP)",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "1,000 - 4,000 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 24,
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "diameter_m",
      "v": 2.25,
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "launch_weight_kg",
      "v": 64000,
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Propulsion",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Single (YF-2A); Liquid (UDMH / AK-27S)",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Warhead options",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Up to 3; HE, Nuclear, or 3 separating reentry vehicles (RVs)",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Nuclear yield",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "A minimum of 50 kT per warhead, up to 3 (some estimates are up to 700kT)",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Conventional warhead weight",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2,000 kg",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Payload: warhead type",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Up to 3",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Payload: warhead options",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "HE, Nuclear, or 3 separating reentry vehicles (RVs)",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Payload: nuclear yield",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "A minimum of 50 kT per warhead, up to 3 (some estimates are up to 700kT)",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Payload: conventional warhead weight",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2,000 kg",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Payload: conventional warheads available",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "HE",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "DF-3A",
      "text": "The DF-3A is an upgraded variant of the DF-3 that became operational in August 1988. Like the DF-3, the DF-3A lacks significant road-mobile capabilities however it is deployed using a towed launcher.",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-3"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "srbm",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/df-3.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-df-3": {
      "title": "DF-3 (Dongfeng 3) Chinese Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/DF-3_Dongfeng_3_Chinese_Intermediate-Range_Ballistic_Missile",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}