China China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
DF-21D
A road-mobile, medium-range anti-ship ballistic missile widely described as a carrier-killer, designed to strike moving naval targets at sea using a maneuverable reentry vehicle guided by radar and satellite updates. It is a variant of China's DF-21 medium-range ballistic missile family.
In service since 2010 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
1,500
km range
10
Mach
600
kg warhead
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 2010. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 10 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 1,500 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 600 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | High-explosive or conventional penetrator, maneuverable reentry vehicle |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Inertial navigation, satellite update, terminal radar homing |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 10.7 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 14,700 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Two-stage solid-fuel rocket |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Boeing AGM-86 ALCM Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D has a maximum range of 1,500 km.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D weigh? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D has a combat weight of 14,700 kg.
What is the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D used for? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D is a missile typically used for deep strike.
How many countries operate the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D? +
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D cost? +
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation DF-21D: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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