The Diplomat:
The Chinese ballistic missile defense test that took place on February 5 involved a Dong Neng-3 (DN-3/KO09) hit-to-kill midcourse interceptor successfully striking a target DF-21 (CSS-5) medium-range ballistic missile, The Diplomat has learned from a U.S. government official with knowledge of China’s weapons programs.
The interceptor in the test was launched from the Korla Missile Test Complex, in China’s Xinjiang province. China has been conducting tests of the DN-3 interceptor since 2010. The system’s target capabilities are analogous to U.S. Standard Missile-3 midcourse interceptors, but it has yet to be successfully tested against an intermediate-range or intercontinental-range-class target. (The DN-3 is also thought to be physically much larger than the U.S. SM-3 series of missiles.)
The test was publicly reported by Chinese state media, though few details were provided. On February 5, PLA Daily reported that “China carried out a land-based mid-course missile interception test within its territory.”
The report added that the “test has achieved the desired objectives,” while noting that it was “defensive in nature” and “not targeted against any country.” The Chinese statement did not confirm that the test was intended to intercept a target missile…
