DF-31

Chinese ICBM

The Dong Feng 31 (; NATO reporting name CSS 10) is a third generation long range, road mobile, three stage, solid fuel rocket intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the Dongfeng missile series developed by the People's Republic of China. It is designed to carry a single 1 megaton thermonuclear weapon. It is a land based variant of the submarine launched JL 2. It is operated by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF). In 2009, the Chinese inventory was estimated as under 15 DF 31 missiles and under 15 DF 31A missiles.

The PRC began developing the DF 31 ICBM in January 1985. ARMT (then called the 4th Aerospace Academy) was appointed as the main contractor while the research arm of the Second Artillery Corps (SAC) which, provided contributing support. The land based variant of the JL 2 was originally called the DF 23 but was changed later on to the DF 31 because of a change in operational requirements. In 1999, the missile was first displayed publicly at the National Day Parade. On August 2, 1999, the Chinese state news media reported the successful test of the DF 31. Operational deployment of the missiles reportedly began in 2006. In 2009, US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF 31 missiles had been deployed.

The DF 31 is a three stage solid fuel rocket equipped with an inertial navigation system. The missile is mounted on a transporter erector launcher. It is capable of reaching targets throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of Canada and the northwestern United States.

The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF 31 called the DF 31A. This upgraded missile has a reported range of 13,200 km, It can carry maneuverable reentry vehicles.

The PRC has developed an improved variant of the DF 31A called the DF 31AG (G stands for 改 (Gaï), "modified) or DF 31B with an off road 8 axle TEL and MIRVs. China has successfully tested it from a mobile launcher. The missile's TEL features an extra pair of elevators near the aft of the missile unlike the TELs of the DF 31 or DF 31A, suggesting a heavier missile second and third stage than earlier variants. On the military parade marking the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army in 2017, DF 31AG ICBM was officially demonstrated.