DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile

DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile is a type of ballistic missile developed by the People's Republic of China to target United States Navy aircraft carriers and other warships. The development of the DF-21D is closely linked to the Chinese People's Liberation Army's efforts to enhance its anti-access/area-denial capabilities, as outlined by Deng Xiaoping and later by Jiang Zemin. The missile's design is influenced by the Soviet Union's R-27 Zyb and R-29R missiles, and its development involved collaboration with Ukrainian and Russian engineers, including those from the Yuzhmash and MITT research institutes.

Introduction

The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile is a significant component of the People's Liberation Army Navy's anti-ship warfare capabilities, which also include the Type 052D destroyer and the Type 055 cruiser. The missile's development is part of a broader effort by the People's Republic of China to modernize its military and enhance its ability to project power in the Asia-Pacific region, as discussed by Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping. This effort has involved cooperation with other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, as well as the development of new technologies, such as those used in the Shenzhou spacecraft and the Chang'e 4 lunar mission. The DF-21D has been tested on several occasions, including during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake relief efforts, and has been deployed to various locations, including the Hainan Island and the South China Sea.

Development and Design

The development of the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile began in the 1990s, with the involvement of several Chinese research institutions, including the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The missile's design is based on the DF-21 missile, which was developed in the 1980s with the assistance of Soviet and Ukrainian engineers, including those from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The DF-21D features a terminal guidance system, which uses a combination of inertial navigation and active radar to guide the missile to its target, similar to the systems used in the Tomahawk cruise missile and the Exocet missile. The missile's propulsion system is based on the liquid-fueled rocket technology used in the Long March 2F rocket, which has been used to launch several Chinese spacecraft, including the Tiangong-1 space station and the Chang'e 3 lunar mission.

Operational History

The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile has been deployed by the People's Liberation Army since the early 2010s, with several battalions stationed in the Guangdong and Fujian provinces, near the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. The missile has been tested on several occasions, including during the 2013 Chinese military exercises and the 2015 China Victory Day Parade, which featured a display of Chinese military hardware, including the Type 99 tank and the Xian H-6 bomber. The DF-21D has also been mentioned in several Chinese military documents, including the 2013 Chinese Defense White Paper and the 2015 Chinese Military Strategy, which outline the People's Liberation Army's plans for modernization and expansion, as discussed by Fan Changlong and Fang Fenghui.

Capabilities and Specifications

The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile has a range of over 1,500 km, making it capable of targeting United States Navy aircraft carriers and other warships in the Asia-Pacific region, including those stationed in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. The missile's terminal guidance system allows it to adjust its trajectory in mid-flight, making it more difficult to intercept, similar to the systems used in the Pershing II missile and the SS-20 Saber missile. The DF-21D is also equipped with a penetration aid system, which is designed to counter anti-ballistic missile defenses, such as the Aegis Combat System and the Patriot missile system. The missile's specifications are similar to those of other ballistic missiles, including the Russian Bulava missile and the Indian Agni-V missile.

Deployment and Impact

The deployment of the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile has significant implications for the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with regards to the United States and its allies, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The missile's range and accuracy make it a potent threat to United States Navy aircraft carriers and other warships, which could potentially be used to counter Chinese military expansion in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. The DF-21D has also been mentioned in several international agreements, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which aim to limit the development and deployment of ballistic missiles, as discussed by Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama. The missile's development and deployment have involved cooperation with other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, and have been influenced by the Chinese government's policies, including those outlined by Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping. Category:Ballistic missiles