DF - 21 The Dong - Feng 21 ( DF - 21 ; NATO reporting name CSS - 5 - Dong - Feng ( ) is a two - stage , solid - propellant , single - warhead medium - range ballistic missile ( MRBM ) in the Dong Feng series developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy . Development started in the late 1960s and was completed around 1985 - 86 , but it was not deployed until 1991 . It was developed from the submarine - launched JL - 1 missile , and is China ' s first solid - fuel land - based missile . The U . S . Department of Defense in 2008 estimated that China had 60 - 80 missiles and 60 launchers . Originally developed as a strategic weapon , the DF - 21 ' s later variants were designed for both nuclear and conventional missions . As well as a nuclear warhead of around 300 kt , it is thought that high explosive , submunition and chemical warheads are available . The latest DF - 21D was said to be the world ' s first anti - ship ballistic missile ( ASBM ) . The DF - 21 has also been developed into a space - capable anti - satellite / anti - missile weapon carrier . DF - 21 ( CSS - 5 Mod - 1 ) . The basic variant DF 21 has a maximum range of 1 , 700 km , and a payload of 600 kg . The missile can carry a single 500 kt nuclear warhead , with an estimated CEP of 300 ~ 400 m . This version did not enter operational service . DF - 21A ( CSS - 5 Mod - 2 ) . The DF - 21A was operational by 1996 and has improved accuracy with an estimated circular error probable ( CEP ) of 100 ~ 300m , with both GPS and a radar - based terminal guidance system in a redesigned nose . It is thought to have a lower yield , around 90 kt , but longer range ( up to 2700 km ) . DF - 21C ( CSS - 5 Mod - 3 ) . Revealed in 2006 , DF - 21C is believed to be a mod of DF - 21 . Its actual designation is unknown ; it may be a version of the DF - 25 missile . Its maximum range is believed to be about . The new GPS - based guidance system has reduced the missile ’ s CEP to 30 ~ 40m , enabling it for precision - strike missions . In 2010 , the DF - 21C was being deployed in central Western China . DF - 21D ( CSS - 5 Mod - 4 ) Anti - ship ballistic missile . China has reportedly developed and tested the world ' s first anti - ship ballistic missile ( ASBM ) called DF - 21D , with a maximum range of around , in 2005 , according to the US Department of Defense . It is estimated to have reached initial operating capability in 2007 or 2008 . The guidance system is thought to be still in an evolutionary process as more UAV and satellites are added . The DF - 21 anti - ship ballistic missile itself is assumed to have entered active service by 2009 . The US Department of Defense has stated that China has developed and reached initial operating capability of a conventionally armed high hypersonic land - based anti - ship ballistic missile based on the DF - 21 . This would be the world ' s first ASBM and the world ' s first weapons system capable of targeting a moving aircraft carrier strike group from long - range , land - based mobile launchers . United States Naval Institute in 2009 stated that such a warhead would be large enough to destroy an aircraft carrier in one hit and that there was " currently . . . no defense against it " if it worked as theorized . The United States Navy has responded by switching its focus from a close blockade force of shallow water vessels to return to building deep water ballistic defense destroyers . The United States has also assigned most of its ballistic missile defense capable ships to the Pacific , extended the BMD program to all Aegis destroyers and increased procurement of SM - 3 BMD missiles . The United States also has a large network optimized for tracking ballistic missile launches which may give carrier groups sufficient warning in order to move away from the target area while the missile is in flight . Use of such missile has been said by some experts to potentially lead to nuclear exchange , regional arms races with India and Japan , and the end of the INF Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union , to which the People ' s Republic of China is not a party . Some have also suggested China could develop a " MIRVd " DF - 21D with multiple independent missiles . China has recently launched a series of satellites to support its ASBM efforts : China is reported to be working on an Over - the - horizon radar to locate the targets for the ASBM . An apparent test of the missile has been made against a target in the Gobi desert . KT ASAT . KT series anti satellite missiles / anti ballistic missiles is reportedly a series of highly classified and thus little known missiles based on DF - 21 . Designed to intercept satellites and ballistic missiles , KT series utilizes experience gained from earlier FJ ABM developed decades earlier . Four models of KT series have been developed so far , including KT - 1 , KT - 2 , KT - 2A and KT - III : It is rumored that there are other versions of KT under development , but these claims have yet to be verified .