The M20 short-range ballistic missile, also known as DF-12, is a Chinese road-mobile SRBM built by CASIC for transporter-erector-launcher operations. CSIS describes it as a single-stage, solid-fueled missile with an export range around 280 km, 480 kg payload, PLA service from 2013, and M20A/M20B derivatives. In the 2020 Tigray War, Oryx identified captured Ethiopian M20 missiles used by Tigray forces for long-range strikes.
Tigray forces captured Ethiopia's M20/A200 missile capability in November 2020; Oryx identifies Chinese M20 SRBMs fired at Ethiopian air bases including Bahir Dar and Gondar, with M20 missiles later found at a recaptured base in Tigray.
Public sources use M20 for the export name and DF-12 for the Chinese service designation of the same short-range ballistic-missile family. Later M20A and M20B show variants add terminal-seeker and anti-ship roles rather than a separate launcher family.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| M20 | Baseline export land-attack SRBM | CSIS states that the missile was first offered for sale in 2011 under the M20 designation before later DF-12 service reporting. Sources: DF-12 / M20 |
| DF-12 | Chinese service designation | CSIS treats DF-12 as the Chinese designation for the M20 family and lists PLA service from 2013. Sources: DF-12 / M20 |
| M20A | High-precision land-attack variant | CSIS describes the M20A as a high-precision DF-12/M20 variant displayed by CASIC at the 2018 Zhuhai Air Show, apparently using an optical terminal-guidance sensor. Sources: DF-12 / M20 |
| M20B | Anti-ship ballistic missile variant | CSIS identifies the M20B as an anti-ship variant, while China Daily reported an export M20B with a 480 kg warhead and 120-280 km advertised anti-ship range. Sources: DF-12 / M20, Ultrafast anti-ship missiles offered for sale |
The M20 is a road-mobile missile carried on a transporter-erector-launcher.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Road-mobile transporter-erector-launcher | CSIS describes the DF-12/M20 as TEL-based and states that two DF-12 missiles are carried on each wheeled transporter-erector-launcher. Sources: DF-12 / M20 |
The M20 is the missile munition; the linked A200/M20 launcher family covers the road-mobile launch vehicle and its A200 guided-rocket configuration.
CSIS and Army Recognition describe two DF-12/M20 missiles carried on a wheeled transporter-erector-launcher.
CSIS describes a typical M20 battalion with command, support, TEL, and loading vehicles rather than standalone missiles.
CSIS frames the export M20 range and payload near the Missile Technology Control Regime threshold, with domestic DF-12 variants assessed at longer range.
CSIS states that the DF-12/M20 was first offered for sale in 2011 under the M20 designation.
CSIS lists 2013 as the in-service year for the DF-12/M20, and Army Recognition places Chinese Army service in August 2013.
CSIS reports that CASIC displayed M20A and M20B variants at the 2018 Zhuhai Air Show; China Daily separately described the M20B anti-ship ballistic missile export offer.
Oryx identified the impact of an M20 ballistic-missile strike at Bahir Dar air base during the Tigray War.
