DF-4
Chinese ICBM
title: "DF-4" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["intercontinental-ballistic-missiles-of-china", "nuclear-missiles-of-china", "cold-war-weapons-of-china", "military-equipment-introduced-in-the-1970s"] description: "Chinese ICBM" topic_path: "geography/china" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DF-4" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Chinese ICBM ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| is_missile | yes |
| name | DF-4/CSS-3 |
| image | Misil DF-4.svg |
| image_size | 120 |
| type | ICBM |
| origin | People's Republic of China |
| vehicle_range | 5,500 km |
| filling | One, or three (DF-4A) |
| yield | 3.3 Mt |
| engine | Liquid fueled |
| guidance | Astro-inertial guidance |
| accuracy | 1.5 km |
| speed | ? |
| length | 28.05 m |
| diameter | 2.25 m |
| weight | 82,000 kg |
| payload_capacity | 3300 kt |
| manufacturer | Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co.) |
| unit_cost | ? |
| service | 1975/1976–present |
| used_by | PLA Rocket Force |
| :: |
| is_missile = yes | name = DF-4/CSS-3 | image = Misil DF-4.svg | image_size = 120 | type = ICBM | origin = People's Republic of China | vehicle_range = 5,500 km | filling = One, or three (DF-4A) | yield = 3.3 Mt | engine = Liquid fueled | guidance = Astro-inertial guidance | accuracy = 1.5 km | speed = ? | length = 28.05 m | diameter = 2.25 m | weight = 82,000 kg | payload_capacity = 3300 kt | manufacturer = Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co.) | unit_cost = ? | service = 1975/1976–present | used_by = PLA Rocket Force
The Dong Feng 4 () or DF-4 (also known as the CSS-3) is a first-generation two-stage Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile with liquid fuel (Nitric acid/Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine). It was thought to be deployed in limited numbers in underground silos beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Dong Feng 4 has a takeoff thrust of 1,224.00 kN, a takeoff weight of 82000 kg, a diameter of 2.25 m, a length of 28.05 m and a fin span of 2.74 m. The range of the Dong Feng 4, which is equipped with a 2,190 kg nuclear warhead with 3.3 Megaton yield, with a nominal range of 5,500 km. This gives it sufficient range to strike targets as far away as Russia, India, and American bases in the Pacific. The missile uses an inertial guidance system, resulting in a large CEP of 1,500 meters. As of 2017, 10–15 launchers are deployed.
History
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/PLA_ballistic_missiles_range.jpg" caption="Range of various Chinese missiles (2007); DF-4 range in light blue."] ::
The decision to develop the DF-4 was made in 1965 in response to the U.S. ballistic missile submarine patrols that began operating out of Guam. The missile's designer has been variously identified as Ren Xinmin or Tu Shou'e [屠守锷], and it was produced at Factory 211 (Capital Astronautics Co. [首都航天机械公司], also known as Capital Machine Shop [首都机械厂]).
In 1972 US intelligence estimated an IOC for this system as being expected in 1974 or 1975. Deployment actually began in 1975–76, but only four DF-4s were believed to be in place by 1984.
There were two versions of the missile developed, one version housed in caves or garages to be rolled out on launch and another silo based version.
The US DoD estimates that the missile will continue to serve as a regional deterrence instrument until they can be replaced by the DF-31. This will be a significant capability gain for the Second Artillery Corps. The DF-31A has a range of 11,700 kilometers (as opposed to just 7,000 for the DF-4) and is road- and rail-mobile, and thus more survivable than the silo-based DF-4.
Operators
- : The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force is the only operator of the Dong-Feng 4.
References
References
- "DF-4 - China Nuclear Forces".
- "DF-4 - China Nuclear Forces".
- The Federation of American Scientists & The Natural Resources Defense Council ''Chinese Nuclear Forces and U.S. Nuclear War Planning'' p. 202 [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/Book2006.pdf] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-04-28)
- "中国东风系列导弹简介".
- http://csatm.cn/f0309110006.html{{dead link. (January 2018)
- PRC Defense Policy and Armed Forces, National Intelligence Estimate 13-76, November 11, 1976, p. 47.
- "东风4型洲际导弹 (Dongfeng VI intercontinental ballistic missile)".
- Diamond, Howard. (July 1, 1999). "Chinese Strategic Plans Move Forward with Missile Test". Arms Control Association.
- (June 2017). "Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat". Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee.
- U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, The Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, 2005, 2005, p. 28
- "DF-4 – China Nuclear Forces". Fas.org.
- U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, ''The Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, 2000'', 2000, p. 17.
- U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Military Power of the People’s Republic of China, 2006, May 22, 2006, p. 50.
- "DF-31/-31A (CSS-9) - Missile ThreatMissile Threat".
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