Saudi Arabia to display for the first time Dong Feng DF-3 ballistic missile during a military parade

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Defence & Security News - Saudi Arabia

 
 
Thursday, May 1, 2014 11:08 AM
 
Saudi Arabia to display for the first time Dong Feng DF-3 ballistic missile during a military parade.
Saudi Arabia concluded a large-scale military exercise with a display of its Chinese- made Dongfeng 3 ballistic missiles this week, showcasing the missiles for the first time. The Dongfeng 3 (DF-3) has a range of up to 3,300 kilometers, and can carry two-ton warheads. It can be used to strike targets that are much closer than the maximum range.
     
Saudi Arabia concluded a large-scale military exercise with a display of its Chinese- made Dongfeng 3 ballistic missiles this week, showcasing the missiles for the first time. The Dongfeng 3 (DF-3) has a range of up to 3,300 kilometers, and can carry two-ton warheads. It can be used to strike targets that are much closer than the maximum range.
Saudi Arabia's DF-3 ballistic missiles were displayed for the first time during the parade at the end of the military exercise code-named 'Saif Abdullah'.
(Source Saudi Arabia press agency)
     
The parade, marking the end of the large military exercise code-named 'Saif Abdullah', was attended by dignitaries from various countries, including the king of Bahrain, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the Kuwaiti defence minister, and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

In 1987, China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) outmoded DF-3 missiles to Saudi Arabia, with conventional warheads.

Dong Feng-3 (DF-3A) is a liquid propellant Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM). DF-3A is one of the oldest operational ballistic missile with range of 2,800 to 4000 kilometers with payload of 2,150 kg.

The missile is mounted on a four-wheel trailer which is towed by a military truck. The trailer is also used as launcher unit.

A Saudi television has shown the DF-3 ballistic missile during a parade at Hafr al-Batin Airbase in the northeast of the country.