{
  "id": "df-5",
  "name": "DF-5",
  "aliases": [
    "Dongfeng 5",
    "CSS-4"
  ],
  "domain": "missile",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 1981,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 2,
  "summary": "The Dongfeng 5 (DF-5/CSS-4) Chinese Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is a silo-based ICBM. It was the first ICBM that China developed. These missiles are capable of delivering large nuclear payloads throughout the United States and Western Europe.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Wan Yuan Industry Corp., Beijing, China Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), Beijing, China",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Propulsion",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "two-stage, storable-liquid UDMH/N204 propellant rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Accuracy (CEP)",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "800 m; 500 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Launch preparation",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "30-60 min",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Basing",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Hard or silo",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Guidance",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "gyro-stabilized inertial w/onboard computer",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 36,
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "diameter_m",
      "v": 3.35,
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "launch_weight_kg",
      "v": 183000,
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "DF-5A",
      "text": "The DF-5A has been operational since 2010 and is a MIRV-capable variant of the original DF-5. It is the first DF-5 model to be equipped with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles and is fitted with 1-3 MT yield nuclear warheads and decoys or…",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "DF-5B",
      "text": "The DF-5B (CSS-4 Mod 3) is an intercontinental-range, silo-based, liquid-propellant ballistic missile. The DF-5B’s physical size is identical to that of the DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) but can carry MIRVed warheads.",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "DF-5C",
      "text": "On January 21, 2017, media reports surfaced that China tested a new variant of the missile, the DF-5C, that is equipped with 10 MIRVs. This number of MIRVs is a significant increase from the three warheads previously deployed on the DF-5B.",
      "src": [
        "weg-df-5"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "srbm",
  "image": {
    "file": "df-5.jpg",
    "thumb": "df-5-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "IceUnshattered",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dongfeng-5B_head.JPG",
    "title": "File:Dongfeng-5B head.JPG"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Editorial correction: Removed Pakistan from operators (no evidence of ICBM export)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-06",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/df-5.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-df-5": {
      "title": "DF-5 (Dongfeng 5) Chinese Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/DF-5_Dongfeng_5_Chinese_Intercontinental_Ballistic_Missile",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}