東風21型主要部署在遼寧、江西、雲南、福建、青海等地，可對台灣、日本、韓國、東南亞、印度、中亞等地敵目標造成威脅；美國方面研判約50到100具之間，實際數字並未公之於世。

傳言東風21被沙烏地阿拉伯選中作為21世紀進攻性武器，然而雙方都不承認此一事實，美國透露沙烏地阿拉伯採購了東風21彈道飛彈，且知會了美國中央情報局了這項採購計畫，美方同意不作過激反應,但是要求沙國保證不將其用於裝載核武器。傳聞CIA 曾經檢測DF-21 的 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)已確保無法攜帶核子彈頭且射程控制在1500KM.?

中國向沙烏地阿拉伯出售了東風-21導彈的可信度很低。如果中國出口此型導彈屬實，那麼這件事本身就嚴重違反了中國曾嚴正承諾遵守的重要國際導彈防擴散機制導彈及其技術控制制度，中國長期以來的防擴散政策和外交聲譽將受到嚴重質疑?如此一來已經混亂的中東局勢豈不是更加桽亂不勘?

但是沙烏地阿拉伯為什麼要不顧美國的反對與干預,引進中國DF-21彈道飛彈,作為21世紀的防空利器,因為美國長久以來不願意出售中程彈道飛彈,給予沙烏地阿拉伯,但是協助以色列發展中,長程彈道飛彈,沙烏地阿拉伯當然不願意將自身的安全曝露,因此透過各方面尋求,終於如願以償以150億美元,購得將近3個營的DF-21彈道飛彈,佈署於沙烏地阿拉伯各戰略要點,以取代老舊的中國DF-3A短程飛彈,根據北約情資顯示出中國將派遣工兵部隊及飛彈兵力協助沙烏地阿拉伯建造,DF-21導向飛彈基地,並完全訓練其操作,保養以及實際發射演習等計劃.

在中國有眾多的伊斯蘭教徒維吾爾族群,以及漢族的回民,中國與沙烏地阿拉伯(大食)自古以來,就於經濟,貿易,文化,旅遊,宗教朝覲等活動,息息相關,如今中國再度強勢崛起,沙烏地阿拉伯,配合中國一帶一路的政策,也採購中國先進的DF-21導向飛彈系統佈署,這樣一來開啟阿拉伯半島的伊斯蘭國家,相進跟隨購買中國武器,這是美國,俄羅斯,以及英國,法國等始料未及的連鎖反應.

In 1987 China sold several dozen outmoded DF-3 missiles to Saudi Arabia, without their nuclear warheads.

The DF-3 provided the first stage for the follow-on two-stage DF-4 missile. It also provided the first stage of China's first space launch vehicle CZ-1.

1987年中國售於沙烏地阿拉伯DF-3A彈道飛彈已經超過30個年頭,始終未有發射用於實際戰爭中,即使在兩伊戰爭以及美國2度攻擊伊拉克的戰爭時期,沙烏地阿拉伯永遠保持中立,不捲入戰爭,這是學習中國孫子兵法的上兵伐謀的戰略,2018年沙烏地阿拉伯,如願以償的成功設置中國DF-21彈道飛彈系統,但願如此沙烏地阿拉伯始終用於防衛不是攻擊? 

In summary, the reliability of reports that China exported DF-21 missiles to Saudi Arabia is not high. Such a move does not fit with China’s non-proliferation policy and practices in recent decades. As China’s defense industry grows and enters the global defense market, China is attaching increasing importance to addressing nonproliferation concerns and is making serious efforts to comply with international regulations to which the country has committed. More transparency from the government would be very welcome and helpful for better understanding China’s policy and practice. At the same time, independent analysts can contribute to constructive policy discussions by conducting research based on solid facts and reliable methodology.

  The Chinese designated DF-21 (East Wind-21), intermediate-range ballistic missile has the NATO designation CSS-5, and is a variant of the CSS-N-3 (JL-1) submarine-launched ballistic missile developed from the mid-1960s and first test launched in 1982. The road mobile CSS-5 was first successfully test flown in 1985, CSS-5 was China's first road mobile solid-propellant ballistic missile. An improved version of CSS-5 Mod 2, known in China as DF-21A, has been developed with an increased range and several different warhead options. Reports in 1996 indicated that DF-21A had an improved accuracy; using both GPS and a radar-based terminal guidance system. CSS-5 is launched from a Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle with the missile being cold-launched from its canister, with motor ignition occurring about 20 m above the launch vehicle. The TEL consists of a tractor vehicle and an open flat-top trailer with a single launch platform at the rear. The missile test and targeting functions are carried out from separate logistics and command vehicles. A six vehicle convoy is used by PLA artillery regiments for the CSS-5 system, including a command vehicle, a logistics support vehicle, a reload vehicle and three TEL vehicles. A new TEL vehicle was displayed in 1999, with a tractor-trailer unit having three axles on the tractor vehicle and three axles on the trailer. The missile was carried in a sealed canister, with several access hatches to provide for maintenance and testing. 
Item No    00202
Item Name    DF-21 Ballistic missile launcher
Bar Code     n/a
Scale    1:35
Item Type    Static Armor
Model Brief    Length: 460.5 mm Width: 84.7mm Height:103mm
Total Parts    808pcs
Metal Parts    Grills
Photo Etched Parts    n/a
Film Parts    n/a
Total Sprues    14pcs sprues +cab +24pcs tyres +left launcher +right launcher
Paint Schemes    For Chinese Army Service
Released Date    n/a
More Features    Engine detail

美國出於對中東布局的綜合考量，特別是對盟友以色列安全的考慮，

不大可能直接向沙烏地阿拉伯政府出售類似的美製導彈系統。

 In recent years, multiple foreign media outlets have come out with the explosive news that China exported DF-21 missiles to Saudi Arabia a number of years back. Several commentators believe that such actions would upset the military balance in the Middle East, and would thereby undermine regional stability. A few Chinese-language media sources have also spread these reports without verifying their validity.A recent source of falsified reporting was an article that was published by the Saudi newspaper OKAZ. This report mentioned a Saudi “strategic thinker” who spoke very highly of the superior capabilities of China’s DF-21 missiles, but did not mention that Riyadh has this type of weapon. However, some media reports embellished greatly when reproducing this news, emphasizing the official background of this Saudi “strategic thinker,” and stating that Saudi Arabia has confirmed for the first time their possession of the Chinese-made DF-21 ballistic missile. In carefully examining news sources used by these media, it can be seen that the relevant reports do not have a credible factual basis, and the information provided is built on analytical speculation. Based on the exaggerated reproducing of such reports via various media sources, the overall reliability of this information is quite low.

 Why Did Saudi Arabia Buy Chinese Missiles?

 2018沙烏地阿拉伯聯合軍事委員會顧問證實沙烏地軍方已經裝備了東風21

沙烏地阿拉伯退役少將，現任三軍聯席軍事委員會顧問安瓦爾·艾斯基在利雅得接受本國媒體採訪時承認，沙特已從中國獲得東風-21（DF-21）中程彈道導彈。