The exact number of the missile in service remains highly classified, and observer estimations vary significantly, ranging from less than 10 to over 30. According to some reports, by 2008 the DF-5 units in the PLA Second Artillery Corps consisted of three launch brigades. Each brigade operates about 6~10 missiles. By the year 2000, all three brigades were believed to be equipped with improved DF-5A ICBMs.
The first, the 801 Brigade (cover designator: 96261 Unit), is the oldest missile launch unit of the PLA Second Artillery Corps and subordinated to the 54 Base. The brigade is based in Lingbao City, Henan Province, in central China. In early 1995, PRC state media reported that the “Great Wall Project ” for the strategic missile force was finally completed after ten years of construction in the Tai-Hang Mountain Range between Hebei and Shanxi provinces. According to the news reports, "tens of thousands" of PLA engineers spent over 10 years there digging tunnels. According to some reports, this facility enables DF-4 and DF-5 missiles to be stored and mobilised through underground tunnels to increase their survivability. The 801 brigade is most likely to be associated to this facility considering its locations.
The second brigade is the 804 brigade (cover designator: 96263 Unit), which is also subordinated to the 54 Base. The unit is headquartered in Luanchan County of Luoyang City, Henan Province. The brigade is believed to deploy 6~10 silo-based DF-5A/CSS-4 ICBMs in the nearby Funiu Mountain.
The third brigade, 803 Brigade (cover designator: 96311 Unit), was reportedly established in 1996 and is subordinated to 55 Base. The brigade is headquartered in Jingzhou county of Huaihua City, within the deep mountains of Hunan province. The brigade may have began operational duty since the late 1990s.
Launch of a DF-5 ICBM from the underground silo (Source: Chinese Internet)
