DF-3A

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the DF-3A represents China's main missile system. It is currently being retired and was inaccurately predicted to have been removed from China's missile arsenal in 2002. In 1987 China sold several dozen (reportedly between 36 and 60) outmoded DF-3 missiles to Saudi Arabia, minus their nuclear warheads.Deployment of the missile began in 1971 reaching a peak of 110 by 1984, then shrinking to 50 in 1993. It is estimated by the U.S. DoD that there are 16 missiles and 8 launchers in operation as of 2006. Because of delays in the DF-31 deployment, the U.S DoD speculated that the DF-21A was being used as a stop gap to replace the missiles as they retire.