DF-21C Missile on TEL CIA technical experts have analysed Chinese DF-21 Dong Feng medium range ballistic missiles, acquired by Saudi ...
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DF-21C Missile on TEL |
According to a report by Newsweek magazine, the Saudi DF-21 missile deal had the secret approval of United States on condition that CIA experts would be allowed to verify the missile are not designed to carry nuclear warheads.
China have developed the world's first anti-ship ballistic missile, known as the DF-21D, dubbed the 'Carrier Killer', a variant of DF-21 with terminal guidance as part of Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) program. The potential threat from the DF-21D against US aircraft carriers has reportedly caused major changes in US strategy. But the system is yet to be tested against a moving target. The analysis could have given valuable details to develop countermeasures against the DF-21D ASBM.
The solid-fueled, medium-range DF-21 Dong Feng (East Wind) missile is an upgraded DF-3 missile with improved accuracy and has a reported range of 1,770 kilometres (1,100 mi). The DF-3 missile, Saudi purchased from China in 1988, had poor accuracy, which prompted the Kingdom to go for DF-21.
