The latest hypersonic anti-ship missiles YJ-21 should provide an advantage to the PLA Navy in the Asia-Pacific region
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.
Tests of the new hypersonic anti-ship missiles took place on the eve of the 73rd anniversary of the formation of the PLA Navy. The launch was carried out from the latest Type 055 missile destroyer, which has 112 launch cells for various types of missiles. At the same time, the air-launched YJ-21 was demonstrated, the missile was carried by the H-6N strategic bomber of the PLA Air Force.
On the same day, a video of the launch appeared on the Chinese social network Weibo, apparently with the approval of the country's leadership. According to experts, by demonstrating the YJ-21, China showed its readiness to contain 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 unit. The declared range of destruction is up to 1,5 thousand kilometers. The main target of these missiles are 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 destroy medium and large enemy ships at a distance of up to 260 km. The CM-401 is launched from a mobile ground-based launcher.
Note that China is quite actively developing hypersonic weapon, being the second country in the world, after Russia, having it in service. Unlike Russian designers who prefer to use cruise missiles in their development, the Chinese rely on ballistic missiles.
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