DF-1 Missile

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	Weapon: DF-1 Missile Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: China Year Adopted: 1975 Caliber: 500kg payload Action: Short Range Ballistic Missile Overall Length (mm): 8000.0 Weight (kg): 1500.00 Effective Range (m): 250

The DF-1 (Dongfeng-1) missile was China's first domestically produced ballistic missile, developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Based on the Soviet R-2 (a derivative of the German V-2), the DF-1 featured a single-stage liquid-fueled design and a range of approximately 600 kilometers. The missile represented a significant milestone in China's early efforts to establish an independent strategic missile program.

Production of the DF-1 was relatively limited, as it primarily served as a stepping stone for the development of more advanced missile systems. Though exact production figures are scarce, estimates suggest that only a handful were produced for testing and initial deployment. The DF-1 entered service in the early 1960s, but its operational lifespan was short, as it was quickly supplanted by the more capable DF-2 ballistic missile.

The DF-1 holds historical significance as the foundation of China's modern ballistic missile program. While it was not deployed in significant numbers or widely used in military operations, it demonstrated China's ability to reverse-engineer foreign technology and marked the beginning of its strategic missile capabilities. The DF-1 is remembered as a symbol of China's early ambitions in missile technology and its determination to develop independent defense systems.