any guesses on how long it takes to reload?
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China IRBM/SRBM (and non-ICBM/SLBM) thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Someone know how many DF-26 units ??? I see 72 launchers in some sources, is it the number of units ?The basic load for the DF-26 is three missiles. Typically, a DF-26 unit consists of one launcher and two reload vehicles. After firing the initial three missiles, the unit requires resupply in order to continue operations.
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Someone know how many DF-26 units ??? I see 72 launchers in some sources, is it the number of units ?
In 2023/2024, the Pentagon said 250 DF-26 launchers, spread across 7? Brigades.
IIRC, it was also about 500 DF-26 missiles in total.
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The basic load for the DF-26 is three missiles. Typically, a DF-26 unit consists of one launcher and two reload vehicles. After firing the initial three missiles, the unit requires resupply in order to continue operations.
That is interesting. Initially it was 1 missile per launcher.
Then the last estimate I saw was 2 missiles per launcher.
So I'm guessing they continue to build ~100 missiles per year?
And going forward, if the DF-26 and DF-27 share a booster stage, my guess is that they would switch to ~100 DF-27 per year.
Before the reform, each DF-26 brigade had only 16 launchers. I don’t think that will change.In 2023/2024, the Pentagon said 250 DF-26 launchers, spread across 7? Brigades.
IIRC, it was also about 500 DF-26 missiles in total.
Before the reform, each DF-26 brigade had only 16 launchers. I don’t think that will change.
And if you already have 7+ Brigade locations, that is enough coverage already and you don't need additional launch locations.
So if you're going to vastly increase the number of launchers, does it make sense to create additional brigades next to the existing ones, or just make the brigades bigger?
When coordinating a missile launch to overwhelm middle defence, it's easier to do this with 1 brigade with 36 launchers than 2 brigades with 16 launchers each.
EDIT. Wasn't it previously 5 brigades with 16 missiles each?
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The DF-26 launchers and reload vehicles are extremely heavy and cumbersome. Their mobility requires extensive support from engineering units, along with accompanying CBRN troops and technical support detachments. If additional launchers were added to a single brigade, the brigade’s overall personnel would expand to an unacceptable level, creating a major burden on command, control, and administration.And if you already have 7+ Brigade locations, that is enough coverage already and you don't need additional launch locations.
So if you're going to vastly increase the number of launchers, does it make sense to create additional brigades next to the existing ones, or just make the brigades bigger?
When coordinating a missile launch to overwhelm middle defence, it's easier to do this with 1 brigade with 36 launchers than 2 brigades with 16 launchers each.
EDIT. Wasn't it previously 5 brigades with 16 missiles each?
Therefore, I believe the number of launchers will remain at 16 per brigade. If additional combat capability is required, new brigades would be formed instead.
In addition, “Nugget” has mentioned that the DF-21 has been rapidly retired over the past few years, with the original units re-equipped with the DF-26. The reason is that, after PLA assessments, the U.S. Navy’s Standard Missile-3 Block IIB was expected to have a relatively high probability of intercepting the DF-21D.
With the same number of personnel, mobile missile forces can support far fewer missiles than silo-based missile forces—the gap may be as large as an order of magnitude, or even more than tenfold.And if you already have 7+ Brigade locations, that is enough coverage already and you don't need additional launch locations.
So if you're going to vastly increase the number of launchers, does it make sense to create additional brigades next to the existing ones, or just make the brigades bigger?
When coordinating a missile launch to overwhelm middle defence, it's easier to do this with 1 brigade with 36 launchers than 2 brigades with 16 launchers each.
EDIT. Wasn't it previously 5 brigades with 16 missiles each?
antiterror13
Brigadier
any info or rumour of cost of DF-26 and DF-27 missiles only ?That is interesting. Initially it was 1 missile per launcher.
Then the last estimate I saw was 2 missiles per launcher.
So I'm guessing they continue to build ~100 missiles per year?
And going forward, if the DF-26 and DF-27 share a booster stage, my guess is that they would switch to ~100 DF-27 per year.
antiterror13
Brigadier
The DF-26 launchers and reload vehicles are extremely heavy and cumbersome. Their mobility requires extensive support from engineering units, along with accompanying CBRN troops and technical support detachments. If additional launchers were added to a single brigade, the brigade’s overall personnel would expand to an unacceptable level, creating a major burden on command, control, and administration.
Therefore, I believe the number of launchers will remain at 16 per brigade. If additional combat capability is required, new brigades would be formed instead.
In addition, “Nugget” has mentioned that the DF-21 has been rapidly retired over the past few years, with the original units re-equipped with the DF-26. The reason is that, after PLA assessments, the U.S. Navy’s Standard Missile-3 Block IIB was expected to have a relatively high probability of intercepting the DF-21D.
I think SM-3 Block IIB has been cancelled due to complexity and huge cost. Likely would cost 2-3x or more of DF-21
How much expensive DF-26 to DF-21?
Do you know what happen to old DF-21 after been replaced with DF-26?