(China, 31st) Recently released footage by Chinese state media shows that the much-watched 'YJ-20' hypersonic anti-ship missile may have expanded its deployment range. Military experts believe that if a conflict were to erupt in the Taiwan Strait, China could deploy such weapons to help the navy control the East Asian seas.
On the 29th, China Central Television's National Defense and Military Channel and the state-backed Global Times gave special coverage to footage showing a Type 052D destroyer launching the 'YJ-20' missile. This missile model was first publicly unveiled during a military parade in Beijing last September.
On the 28th, CCTV News aired footage from a PLA 'Victory' themed video, which showed this hypersonic missile being ejected from the vertical launch system on the forward deck of a Type 052D destroyer, after which its engine ignited and it flew away. The video did not show the engagement with a target.
It is understood that the 'YJ-20' has previously been deployed on China’s large Type 055 destroyers. According to the Global Times, this is the first time the missile has been seen equipped on Type 052 series warships.
Reports indicate that China possesses more than 40 destroyers in the Type 052 series, forming the backbone of its destroyer fleet. These ships are frequently seen in the disputed waters of the South China Sea as well as other East Asian maritime areas.
Military experts from Western and Asian countries state that China’s hypersonic ballistic missiles are among the most deterrent weapons currently under development. The 'YJ-20' is said to have made significant advancements over earlier models, with a maximum range reportedly reaching 1,500 kilometers, and is capable of striking moving ships.
Some military experts believe that if a conflict were to break out in the Taiwan Strait, China might deploy such weapons to assist the navy in controlling the East Asian seas.
Estimated Cruise Speed Exceeds Mach 6
China has not released the specifications of this missile, but outsiders speculate its cruise speed exceeds Mach 6, its terminal attack speed can reach Mach 9, and its range is over 1,000 kilometers. The missile is also believed to possess wide-area gliding and maneuverable flight capability, making its trajectory hard to predict.
The U.S. Department of Defense, in its annual China military modernization assessment report released last December, stated: “China possesses the world’s leading arsenal of hypersonic missiles, and has continued to push forward the development of both conventionally and nuclear-armed hypersonic missile technologies over the past year.”