China Successfully Improves DF-11 And DF-16 Ballistic Missile Capability And Accuracy

DF-11 missile. (Source: PLA via missilethreat.csis.org)

JAKARTA - The Chinese military is said to have succeeded in increasing the accuracy and range of its flagship ballistic missile, according to a recent report by the United States Army (US).

The Dong-Feng 11 (DF-11), the most widely used short-range ballistic missile of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, was originally designed to hit targets up to 300 kilometers away.

However, newer models have extended range beyond 700 kilometers, according to the August 9 military publication titled 'China Tactics' released August 23 by the Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy.

"Accuracy has also increased, reducing the intended target point to just 30 meters, giving battle commanders long-range precision strike capabilities", the military publication said, as quoted by The Straits Times, September 5.

"Solid-fuel rockets and mobile erector carrier launchers enable rapid launch and reload operations", the publication added. The DF-11 ballistic missile is known to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.

DF-15 missile. (Wikimedia Commons/IceUnshattered)

The United States Army is currently working to enhance its capabilities, along with a focus on China's presence in the Indo Pacific region, to support and coordinate with Uncle Sam's Air Force and Navy.

The new publication presents a selection of China's longer-range and more accurate missiles, which US and Taiwanese forces are likely to face in the conflict in the region.

Improvements have also been made to the DF-15/16 missile, where the newest types have a range of 600 kilometers to 1,000 kilometers, they use advanced anti-ballistic missile countermeasures such as terminal maneuvers and decoys, the publication said.

"The early variants weren't accurate enough for precision strikes, but the newer models are much better", he explained.

"These missiles can use nuclear or conventional warheads, and have a much larger payload, than most short-range ballistic missiles", the publication continued.

The publication, which also covers many of China's other military capabilities, is the latest to describe the military might of a country that US leaders consider a major threat, driving the country's strategic planning and spending.