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Updated January 2006
Missile Chronology
1970-1979
10 January 1970
China tests the CZ-1 launch vehicle at Jiuquan launch facility in Gansu Province.
— China Defense Today, accessed from www.sinodefense.com, 18 November, 2003, <http://www.sinodefence.com/space/facility/jiuquan.asp>.
30 January 1970
China conducts its first test launch of DF-3 at Jiuquan launch facility in Gansu Province.
—China Defense Today, accessed from www.sinodefense.com, 18 November 2003, <http://www.sinodefence.com/space/facility/jiuquan.asp>.
19 February 1970
China accuses Japan of developing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
—New York Times, 19 February 1970, p. 4, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
24 April 1970
China successfully launches its first satellite the Dong Fang Hong-1 (DFH-1) using a CZ-1 launcher.
—Robert S. Norris, Andrew S. Burrows, and Richard W. Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, (New York: Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 1994), p. 334; "Rest of World (Row) Space Launch, GlobalSecurity.org, 23 July, 2003, Pg. 22, <http://www.globalsecurity.org//space/library/report/2003/ rest_of_world_launch.pdf>.
20 May 1970
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Henkin reports that China launched a second object of considerable size. The launch was likely a satellite. The feat means China is likely on the verge of testing intercontinental ballistic missiles, Henkin says.
—New York Times, 20 May 1970, p. 8, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
22 July 1970
Analysts in Hong Kong and Washington note the continued military build up on the Sino-Soviet border. It is also believed that a new missile test facility has opened near Peking. Officials expect China to be ready to test ICBMs with a range of over 1,000 miles very soon.
—New York Times, 22 July 1970, p. 5, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
October 1970
China tests a ballistic missile that travels 2,000 miles. The test is conducted entirely within China's borders.
—Robert S. Noris, Andrew S. Burrows, and Richard W. Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, (New York: Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 1994), p. 334.
23 November 1970
U.S. analysts report that they believe China has developed a new medium-range nuclear-armed ballistic missile with a range between 600 and 1,000 miles at test range sites reportedly in preparation of a potential showdown with the Soviet Union. It is believed that the Chinese are also trying to develop a long-range missile with a range of more than 2,500 miles. That test center is believed to be in Manchuria.
—New York Times 23 November, 1970, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 January 1970
China conducts the first successful test flight a long distance missile. It is believed to be the D-F 4.
—Robert S. Noris, Andrew S. Burrows, and Richard W. Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, (New York: Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 1994), p. 334.
1971
The DF-3 enters service.
—Michael D. Swaine, Loren H. Runyon, "Ballistic Missile Development," (Seattle: The National Bureau of Asian Research, 2001), p. 305.
8 June 1971
A U.S. Department of Defense report indicates that China is building a nuclear powered submarine. The sub is not believed to be capable of firing missiles.
—New York Times, 8 June 1971, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
6 August 1971
The Department of Defense believes that China may have developed medium-range ballistic missiles with a range of up to 1,500 miles. The expectation is that China will have a modest operating force of medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles by the middle of 1972.
—New York Times, 6 August 1971, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
10 September 1971
China conducts the first successful test flight of the DF-5 missile.
—Mark Wade, "Jiuquan", accessed from www.astronautix.com, 30 March 2005, <http://www.astronautix.com/sites/jiuquan.htm>.
9 October 1971
Department of Defense Research Director Dr. John Foster says China now has medium range missiles, is in the process of developing IRBMS, and is likely to have ICBMs very soon.
— New York Times, 9 October 1971, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1 February 1972
Senior American analysts believe that China has started to deploy medium-range ballistic missiles with greater range and improved propellant systems than on earlier nuclear rockets. The missiles are using storable liquid propellant that permits them to be installed in special underground silos.
—New York Times, 1 February 1972, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
7 November 1972
U.S. officials announce that there is evidence China has deployed a handful of strategic missiles capable of reaching Moscow. The missiles are reported to have a range of 3,500 miles and carry a 3 megaton warhead. China has also deployed 20 other missiles, some with a range of 1,000 miles.
—New York Times, 8 November 1972, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
8 January 1973
CIA Director Richard Helms testifies to the Senate Armed Services Committee that China may be reaching "superpower" status because of developments in nuclear weapons technology and delivery systems. Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird asserts before the committee that China is moving forward rapidly on the development of liquid-fueled missile systems.
—New York Times, 10 January 1973, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
4 March 1973
Nixon administration officials report that China is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to stave off potential first strike capabilities by either the U.S. or the USSR.
—New York Times, 4 March 1973, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
2 July 1973
Department of Defense and Atomic Energy Commission officials report that China is making rapid headway in the development of nuclear weapons but is running into technical difficulty with the missiles necessary to deliver them.
—New York Times, 2 July 1973, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
14 April 1975
Newsweek reports that U.S. intelligence now has evidence that China's intermediate range missiles, with a range of about 1,500 miles, are now mobile and can be moved across the country. The report is based on intelligence that picked up a missile base more than 80 miles from the nearest railroad line, with no railroad tracks on the site.
—John A. Conway, "China's Movable Missiles," Newsweek, 14 April 1975, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
13 October 1975
China is reported to have deployed two DF-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 miles and 3 megaton warheads in an underground silo in Western China. It is believed that a silo for a third missile is being constructed, but that the Chinese are having some difficulty with the two-stage system.
—"Soviet Fears," Aviation Weekly & Space Technology, 12 October 1975, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
25 February 1976
Former Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. General Daniel O Graham says that China has probably made a political decision not to produce ICBMs so that it would not have a weapon that directly threatens the United States. China probably made a "deliberate political decision" after President Nixon visited, to not produce the missile that was test fired in 1971. Graham believes China will only produce submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
—New York Times, 25 February 1976, p. 21, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
18 October 1976
China's ballistic missile programs are not progressing as quickly as U.S. intelligence had previously forecast. It seems to be the result of a combination of economic and technical restraints that China is facing.
—Aviation Week & Space Technology, 18 October 1976, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
12 October 1976
President Ford and the National Security Council approve the sale of high technology computer equipment to China, despite opposition by the Energy Research and Development Association. The sale has been approved but is subject to safeguards recommended by the Department of Defense. The sale will have to be approved by the International Export Control Coordinating Committee. Two computers have been approved for sale, but only one will be delivered immediately for oil exploration. The other will not be delivered until proof has been given of the need for seismic research. In addition to the possibility of using the computer equipment for nuclear weapons calculation without the safeguards, they could also be used for anti-ballistic missile systems and large phased-array radar to track ICBMs.
—"Ford Approves Computer Sale to China," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 12 October 1976, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
12 July 1977
Qian Xueshen says in the Chinese journal Red Flag that Chinese development of science and technology is lagging behind due to political interference. Provincial radio is also reporting that political infighting at a main support base for nuclear weapons and missiles crippled defense production for months last year.
—"Chinese Technology," The Washington Post, 12 July 1977, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
24 August 1977
The Defense Intelligence Agency reports that China has embarked on a slow military modernization that will not threaten the United States in the near term. The Agency reported that no Chinese missiles have the capability to reach the United States and that Chinese missile capabilities will not likely threaten the U.S. for at least a decade.
—George C. Wilson, "China Arms Buildup Held No Early Threat to U.S.," Washington Post, 24 August 1977, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
13 September 1977
China discloses through the Xinhua Press Agency that it has tested guided missiles with nuclear capabilities.
—New York Times, 13 September 1977, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
26 January 1978
China successfully launches a satellite into space. It marks the eighth satellite launch for China since 1970 and was deemed a success as it was brought safely back.
—New York Times, 31 January 1978, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
15 April 1978
Indian government officials demand an explanation from the CIA regarding reports that the CIA recruited 14 mountain climbers to hike into the Himalayas and place nuclear powered sensory equipment to monitor Chinese missile tests.
—New York Times, 15 April 1978, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
18 April 1978
U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Reston declines comment regarding accusations that the CIA sent agents in to India to set up nuclear powered equipment to monitor Chinese missile tests.
—New York Times, 18 April 1978, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
3 May 1978
China reportedly purchases anti-tank missiles from France. It is the first order of advanced weapons from a western state Beijing has made since China began modernizing its military.
—New York Times, 3 May 1978, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 August 1978
The International Institute for Strategic Studies releases a report saying the China has intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The report says that multi-stage ICBMs first tested in 1976 are now likely operational.
—"China May Now Have ICBMs," Washington Post, 1 September 1978, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
7 January 1979
China tests the DF-5 ICBM from the Wuzhai missile test center in northwest Shaanxi Province.
—Robert S. Noris, Andrew S. Burrows, and Richard W. Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, (New York, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 1994), p. 335.
4 July 1979
Chinese radio in Beijing reports the successful test of a ballistic missile.
—New York Times, 4 July 1979, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
15 July 1979
China conducts a partial-range test of the DF-5.
—Robert S. Noris, Andrew S. Burrows, and Richard W. Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, (New York, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 1994), p. 335.
21 August 1979
China conducts a partial-range test of the DF-5.
—Robert S. Noris, Andrew S. Burrows, and Richard W. Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, (New York, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 1994), p. 335.
4 September 1979
China conducts a partial-range test of the DF-5.
—Robert S. Noris, Andrew S. Burrows, and Richard W. Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, (New York, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 1994), p. 335.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
