DF31. Photo by A. Pinkov 1999 in Beijing DF31.Photo by A.Pinkov from China 50 years anniversary exhibition 1999 in Beijing

<Kanwa News March 10, 2003> Kanwa was informed that the development of train-borne DF31 ICBM is already completed, and the deployment of these missiles has also been prepared. The development of DF31A, a upgraded version of DF31, has also already been completed.

In order to further enhance the mobile nuclear striking power and the capability to survive attacks, China has developed new types of DF31 series ICBMs similar to the former Soviet Union train-borne SS-24. In normal days, these missiles are moved along the railroads, while at time of war, they can be transported to selected sites and then launch nuclear assaults upon the enemy. DF31 is manufactured in Sichuan at Sichuan Areospace Industry Corporation. Reliable sources from China military industry say the major difference between DF31 and DF31A lies in their warheads. The former has single warhead, while the latter has multi-warheads.

The effect of the vehicle launch version DF31s was not very desirable during the trial service in the forces, since these missiles have very strict requirements for the roads and can only be deployed in very limited areas. It can be expected that in the future, China will focus on the railroad in the deployment of DF31. The sources denied the report that China would possibly use SS-25 launch vehicle to upgrade DF31 with the help of Belarus.<Kanwa China Sichuan,Kanwa news, for more details, please order Kanwa special report CHINA'S PACE OF DEPLOYING NEW ICBM MAY BE UNDERESTIMATED>