Image source: topwar.ru
The Chinese Navy will soon receive a new hypersonic anti-ship missile YJ-21, which was tested recently. According to the Hong Kong newspaper The South China Morning Post, the appearance of this missile will provide the advantage of the PLA Navy in the Asia-Pacific region.
The tests of the new hypersonic RCC took place on the eve of the 73rd anniversary of the formation of the PLA Navy. The launch was carried out from aboard the newest missile destroyer "Type 055", which has 112 launch cells for various types of missiles. At the same time, an air-based YJ-21 was demonstrated, the missile was carried by a strategic bomber H-6N of the PLA Air Force.
On the same day, a video of the launch appeared on the Chinese social network Weibo, clearly with the approval of the country's leadership. According to experts, by demonstrating the YJ-21, China has shown its readiness to deter American ships in the Taiwan Gulf.
According to available information, the YJ-21 anti-ship missile is a two-stage ballistic missile with a hypersonic block. The declared range of destruction is up to 1.5 thousand kilometers. The main target of these missiles are called American carrier groups.
According to military experts, the YJ-21 missile may be a further development of the CM-401 medium-range hypersonic anti-ship missile, designed to defeat medium and large enemy ships at a range of up to 260 km. CM-401 is launched from a mobile ground-based installation.
It should be noted that China is quite actively developing hypersonic weapons, being the second country in the world, after Russia, that has it in service. Unlike Russian designers who prefer to use cruise missiles in development, Chinese rely on ballistic missiles.
