What is DF-21D? A Chinese anti-ship ballistic missile “aircraft carrier killer”
Global Counterparts
| System | Product / Country | Range | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| DF-21D | CASIC — 🇨🇳 | ≈1,500 km | Aircraft Carrier |
| DF-26 | CASIC — 🇨🇳 | ≈4,000 km | Ship + Land |
| Tsirkon | NPO Mash — 🇷🇺 | ≈1,000 km | Ship (Mach 8) |
| Hyunmoo-2C | ADD — 🇰🇷 | ≈800 km | Land |
| BrahMos | BrahMos — 🇮🇳/🇷🇺 | ≈600 km | Multi-purpose |
| TAYFUN Blok-4 | Roketsan — 🇹🇷 | ≈1,000+ km | Ballistic Land |
| AGM-158C LRASM | Lockheed — 🇺🇸 | ≈930 km | Ship (Winged) |
The term “Carrier Killer” is also a political psychological weapon. China uses the DF-21D as a deterrent against Taiwan and the Pacific; its technical effectiveness has not yet been tested in real war. However, the mere existence of the weapon has already impacted U.S. naval strategy — in this regard, its success is undeniable.
