Chinese Artillery Corps Get New Missile System

China’s Second Artillery Corps is believed to be equipped with high-precision Dong Feng-12 (DF-12) short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), according to Chinese media reports.

The DF-12 is a re-designation of the M20 tactical SRBM, set at the range 280km, which was first unveiled at IDEX 2011.

The M20/DF-12 reportedly has built-in countermeasures, including terminal maneuverability, against theatre missile defense systems such as the U.S.’ Patriot PAC-2/3, which is deployed in Taiwan to protect major urban centers, and Taiwan’s indigenous Tien Kung II.

The missile carries an 880lb warhead and can deliver cluster, high explosive fragmentation, penetration and high explosive incendiary warheads. The transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle carries two missiles.

The Taiwanese military and the U.S. Department of Defense believe China has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at Taiwan.

At present, the bulk of the Second Artillery threat against the island allies relies on the DF-11 SRBM, which is augmented by the DF-15 and DF-16 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM). The addition of the DF-12 will add yet another layer of land-based missile systems targeting Taiwan and will further complicate its air-defense efforts while underscoring efforts to centralize command-and-control of China’s missile forces for greater effectiveness.