M20 short-range ballistic missile

The M20 short-range ballistic missile, also known as DF-12, is a Chinese export SRBM built by CASIC for road-mobile transporter-erector-launcher use. CSIS describes the single-stage, solid-fueled missile as having an advertised 280 km range and notes PLA service from 2013, while Army Recognition describes the launcher as carrying two missiles on an 8x8 truck chassis with inertial/GPS guidance and a 480 kg warhead.

M20 short-range ballistic missile, Road-mobile short-range ballistic missile, Munitions

Image source: DF-12 M20

Profile

Origin: China
Built by: China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC)
Type: Road-mobile short-range ballistic missile
Service note: 2010s-present export missile
Designer: CASIC 9th Academy
Produced: 2011-present
Variants: M20A high-precision variant, M20B anti-ship variant

missile ballistic missile precision fires deep strike wheeled

Specifications

Class: Short-range ballistic missile
Propulsion: Single-stage solid-fuel propulsion
Range: Advertised range about 280 km; domestic variants are estimated above 400 km
Warhead: About 480 kg, with high-explosive, submunition, earth-penetrator, and thermobaric options reported
Launch platform: Road-mobile transporter-erector-launcher carrying two missiles
Guidance: Inertial navigation with GPS or satellite guidance

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Offered for export in 2011; CSIS says the DF-12 entered PLA service in 2013 and identifies Qatar as the other known operator.
Used by: China, Qatar

Launch Platforms

The M20 is a road-mobile missile carried on a transporter-erector-launcher.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

A200/M20 missile launcher

Road-mobile transporter-erector-launcher

CSIS describes the DF-12/M20 as a road-mobile missile on a transporter-erector-launcher that carries two missiles.

Sources: DF-12 / M20

M20 short-range ballistic missile Videos

China's M20 missile system, A100 MLRS, A200/A300 GMLRS and CX-1 supersonic cruise missile

M20 short-range ballistic missile Images

M20 short-range ballistic missile, Road-mobile short-range ballistic missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: DF-12 M20

M20 short-range ballistic missile, Road-mobile short-range ballistic missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: DF-12 M20

M20 short-range ballistic missile, Road-mobile short-range ballistic missile, Munitions - view 3 — Source: DF-12 M20

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Sources

DF-12 / M20Publisher: CSIS Missile Threat | Note: Supports general specs, manufacturer background, export origin, range, payload, warhead types, and TEL basing for the DF-12/M20 family. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 DF-12 M20Publisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports additional technical details, launcher configuration, guidance, payload, and image provenance for the article photos. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 M20 (DF-12) Short-Range Ballistic Missile SystemPublisher: Chinese Military Drones | Note: Supports image provenance for the product-page missile image used on this entry. | Accessed: 2026-06-23