CSS-3 Dongfeng-4 Ballistic Missile

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	Weapon: CSS-3 Dongfeng-4 Ballistic Missile Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: China Year Adopted: 1980 Caliber: 3mt Warhead Action: Long Range Ballistic Missile Overall Length (mm): 28000.0 Weight (kg): 82000.00 Effective Range (m): 5500000

The CSS-3 Dongfeng-4 (DF-4) is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) developed by China in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Designed to bridge the gap between China's medium-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles, the DF-4 is a two-stage, liquid-fueled missile with a range of approximately 5,500 kilometers. This range enabled China to target strategic locations in Asia, including U.S. bases in the Pacific and parts of Europe, significantly enhancing China's strategic reach during the Cold War. The missile was equipped to carry a single nuclear warhead, providing a critical component of China's early nuclear deterrence capabilities.

The DF-4 was first test-launched in 1970 and officially entered service in the mid-1970s. While production figures remain classified, it is estimated that several dozen units were manufactured, given its role as a key element of China's strategic forces during its operational period. The missile was deployed in silos and on mobile launch platforms, demonstrating flexibility in its deployment strategy. Unlike earlier systems, the DF-4's increased range allowed China to project power beyond its immediate region, marking a significant milestone in the nation's missile development efforts.

The DF-4 gained notoriety for its role in strengthening China's nuclear deterrent during a period of heightened global tensions. While it was eventually supplanted by more advanced systems such as the DF-31, the DF-4 remained in service into the early 21st century. Its development represented a major step forward in China's missile technology, reflecting the country's determination to establish itself as a major strategic power. Despite its limited production and eventual retirement, the DF-4 remains a historically significant component of China's ballistic missile program.