China’s DF-21D: The Doomsday Missile for U.S. Navy Carriers

The DF-21D (Dongfeng-21D), a Chinese medium-range ballistic missile designed for anti-ship roles, is often referred to as the “carrier-killer“ due to its purported ability to pose a significant threat to aircraft carriers and other large surface vessels, including those of the United States Navy. Although the exact figures are not publicly available, the DF-21D’s range and accuracy, combined with its anti-ship design, make it a formidable weapon capable of challenging the US Navy’s dominance at sea, particularly in the Western Pacific where China has the greatest interest in projecting its naval power. While specific and detailed technical specifications about the DF-21D are not publicly disclosed, various sources and analyses have provided insights into its capabilities, which highlight its threat to US naval forces. Range: The DF-21D is believed to have a range of approximately 900 to 1,800 kilometers (about 560 to 1,118 miles). This range allows it to engage targets from a significant distance, well beyond the operational ranges of most naval air defense systems. Given this range, the missile could potentially strike US naval assets from a position where they are out of range of the immediate defensive capabilities of the US Navy, requiring the deployment of defensive assets further afield or the use of more sophisticated long-range defensive systems. Accuracy: The DF-21D is thought to employ a combination of satellite navigation and an inertial guidance system for mid-course correction, coupled with a terminal phase radar or other sensor system for target acquisition and guidance. This combination is estimated to provide the missile with a relatively high degree of accuracy for a ballistic missile, potentially within a few dozen meters of the intended target. The terminal guidance system, in particular, allows the missile to make last-minute adjustments to its trajectory to hit moving targets, significantly enhancing its effectiveness against naval vessels that can maneuver to evade incoming missiles. Threat to US Naval Forces: The combination of the DF-21D’s range and accuracy makes it a potent threat to US naval forces, especially aircraft carriers, which are key assets in projecting power across the globe. The missile’s ability to be launched from beyond the reach of most defensive systems and its high accuracy means that it could pose a significant challenge to the US Navy’s current and near-term air defense capabilities. This has led to a significant amount of attention being given to developing and deploying more advanced air and missile defense systems capable of intercepting such threats, as well as to the exploration of new tactics and strategies for operating in environments where such threats are present. The DF-21D has significantly impacted U.S. maritime strategy and the future of naval warfare by challenging traditional naval operations, accelerating the development of advanced defense systems, and prompting a shift towards more distributed and resilient operational concepts. This has led to a more dynamic and technologically advanced approach to naval warfare, emphasizing innovation, deterrence, and international cooperation. If you like the content in this episode, please also check out our other videos on this channel and subscribe for more updates on China’s military advancements. That’s all we have for now, and thank you for tuning in. Keywords: #chinamilitary #chinanavy #chinatechnology #militarytechnology © Copyrights: If you have questions about the use of screenshots or songs in my video, please don’t strike this channel. Contact me if you have any questions. Contact mail: peterstechreviews@ If you like the content in this video, it would mean a lot to me if you could donate through “Super Thanks” button or buy me a coffee at: Thank you so much for your support!