Country of origin |
China |
Entered service |
2017 (?) |
Basing |
Road mobile |
Launcher dimensions and weight |
Weight |
? |
Length |
? |
Width |
? |
Height |
? |
Missile |
Missile length |
~ 13 m |
Missile diameter |
~ 2.25 m |
Missile weight |
~ 42 t |
Warhead weight |
1 ~ 1.7 t |
Warhead type |
multiple independently-targetable warheads |
Number of RVs |
? |
Range of fire |
~ 11 200 km |
CEP |
~ 150 m |
Mobility |
Engine |
diesel |
Engine power |
? |
Maximum road speed |
~ 50 km/h |
Range |
~ 500 km |
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The DF-31AG
is a new Chinese Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). First
images of this missile system appeared in 2013. It was reportedly
tested in 2015 and was
first publicly revealed in 2017. This system was previously refereed
as the DF-31B, however it appeared that its official name is the
DF-31AG. It made its public debut during a major military parade
marking the 90th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army. A
total of 16 DF-31AG launchers with missiles were publicly presented
during this parade. Such appearance of numerous missiles indicates
that the DF-31AG is already in service with Second Artillery
Corps, that are de facto strategic missile forces of Chinese army.
Currently it is among the deadliest ICBMs in the world.
The DF-31AG
is a modified and upgraded version of the
DF-31A.
The previous DF-31A missile is silo based, while its road-mobile
version is based on a semi-trailer. On the other hand the new
DF-31AG is based on an 8-axle launcher vehicle and is more mobile.
This feature widens its deployment options and thus increases
survivability. In concept the DF-31AG is similar to Russian road-mobile ICBMs such as
Topol
and Yars.
The DF-31AG
is a solid-fuel missile. It has three stages. This missile has a
range of 11 200 km and can reach all areas of United States, Europe
and Russia.
While the
older DF-31A carries a single warhead, the new DF-31AG reportedly carries
multiple independently-targetable warheads (MIRVs). There is a
version of the DF-31, that carries 3 MIRVs with 20, 90, or 150 kT
blast yield capacity each. Furthermore the DF-31AG has longer range and
improved survivability.
Missile has
internal navigation system with indigenous Chinese BeiDou satellite
navigation system. Some sources suggest that it has an accuracy of
150 meters, or is even more accurate.
This missile
carries decoys in order to overcome missile defense systems.
Transporter
Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicle is based on 8-axle Taian special
wheeled chassis. The TEL vehicle has some degree of cross-country
mobility, though it is mainly intended to operate on hard surface
roads. Vehicle has autonomy on roads of around 500 km.
Once on high alert the
road-mobile DF-31AG missiles can leave their bases and operate in
remote areas. Its autonomy allows the vehicle to operate undetected
in an area equivalent to a small European country. Such mobile missiles are typically harder to intercept
than stationary silo-based missiles. As a result these have a high
probability of surviving the first strike once the country has been
attacked.
Even though
the DF-31AG is among the deadliest ICMBs in the world, China also
developed a much more capable missile, called the
DF-41. It is based
on a similar 8-axle launcher vehicle, however the DF-41 is much
larger and heavier, thus it can carry more payload. Some sources
report that the DF-41 was fielded in 2016 or 2017.
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