CSS-2 Dongfeng-3 Ballistic Missile

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	Weapon: CSS-2 Dongfeng-3 Ballistic Missile Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: China Year Adopted: 1971 Caliber: 2000kg Payload Action: Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Overall Length (mm): 24000.0 Weight (kg): 65000.00 Effective Range (m): 2800000

The CSS-2 Dongfeng-3 (DF-3) is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by China in the 1960s as a significant upgrade from the earlier DF-2 missile. Designed to carry a single nuclear or high-explosive warhead, the DF-3 features a single-stage, liquid-fueled rocket engine, capable of reaching a range of approximately 2,500 kilometers. The missile was designed with improved accuracy compared to its predecessor, making it more effective against strategic and military targets. Its longer range enabled China to target regional adversaries, enhancing its deterrence posture during the Cold War.

Production of the DF-3 began in the late 1960s, with the missile entering service in the early 1970s. While exact production figures are classified, estimates suggest that several hundred units were manufactured over its production lifespan. The DF-3 saw deployment within China as part of its strategic missile forces, and in a notable case, it was exported to Saudi Arabia in the 1980s, marking one of China's early forays into the international missile market. This export highlighted China's role as an emerging supplier of advanced military technology.

The DF-3 gained notoriety for its strategic impact during the Cold War and beyond. Its deployment strengthened China's regional deterrence capabilities and demonstrated the nation's growing expertise in missile development. The missile remained in service until the 2000s, when it was gradually replaced by more advanced solid-fueled systems such as the DF-21. Despite its obsolescence, the DF-3's export to Saudi Arabia and its role in China's strategic arsenal cemented its place in the history of ballistic missile development.