DF-12 M20 short-range surface-to-surface tactical missile

: 23 May 2019

DF-12 M20 short-range surface-to-surface tactical missile

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The DF-12 also named M20 is a short-range surface-to-surface tactical missile designed and manufactured by the Chinese Defense Industry. The system was unveiled for the first time to the public during the defense exhibition in the United Arab Emirates, IDEX in February 2013. In August 2013, the DF-12 has entered in service with the Chinese Army. The DF-12 was first called M20, the shift in designation from M-20 to DF-12 indicates the missile is being deployed with China’s Second Artillery Corps, the service in charge of missile and nuclear weapons. It is not known whether the DF-12 will be armed with conventional or nuclear warheads or whether it is dual-capable. Some international military experts have indicated that the M20 is very similar to the Russian missile system Iskander. The FD-12 is designed for the engagement of small and area targets, such as hostile fire weapons, air and anti-missile defense weapons, military seaport, command post and communications nodes and troops in concentrations, among others.

Variants

- No variants at this time.

Technical Data

Missile launch unit

The launch vehicle is equipped with two solid-propellant single-stage all-course guided missiles mounted at the rear of an 8x8 military truck chassis. In firing position, the missiles are erected at the rear of the chassis, and two hydraulically operated outriggers mounted on each side of the truck chassis are deployed to to stabilize themselves at the battery launch site.

Missiles

The DF-12 is a solid-fueled advanced short-range missile that China’s claims is comparable to Russia’s new short-range missile known as the Iskander. The missile’s official range is between 100 and 280 km but that its actual range could be as long as 400 km. The missile has inertial navigation and Global Positioning System guidance. In the Chinese Army it can be expected that some DF-12 class SRBMs will be armed with tactical nuclear warheads. The missile is controlled throughout the entire flight path, so it can be re-targeted during flight.

Truck tractor

The launch missile unit is fitted at the rear of an 8x8 military truck with a double cabin at the front. A shelter is mounted at the rear of the crew cabin. The truck can run at a maximum speed of 80 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km.

Command and control vehicles

A DF-12 battery is composed of missiles, launch canister, multiple-function launch vehicle, transport-loading vehicle, command vehicle and supporting equipment. One missile unit consists of 3 launching batteries which is equipped with one battalion-level command & communication vehicle and 1 integrated support vehicle. A typical launching battery is composed by three launch vehicles, 3 transport-loading vehicles and two training missile boxes.

Specifications