Development of the DF-21 began in the 1970s and has since evolved into the third-generation DF-21C and the fourth-generation DF-21D, the latter of which is China’s first anti-ship ballistic missile. The DF-21C, first unveiled during the 2009 parade, has a larger payload but a reduced range, with earlier models being able to travel 3,000 km but the newest version only going 2,000 km. The tradeoff comes in the form of a much increased accuracy, with its CEP going from around 500 m to just 50 m. The DF-21D can strike naval targets as far as 1,500-2,000 km away and has been dubbed the “carrier killer.”