CSS-5 Mod I MRBM

The Dong Feng 21A (East Wind, DF-21A) is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) designated the CSS-5 Mod 2 by Western analysts. It was originally developed as the two-stage CSS-N-3 (JL-1, see separate record) for deployment aboard ballistic missile nuclear submarines. However, China also decided to develop a land-based version. It was the first road-mobile, solid-propellant missile developed by China.

The missile is very light and similar in size to the Soviet-built SS-N-6. The...