China demonstrates an expanded deployment of the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile
China demonstrates an expanded use of its YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile, enhancing naval capabilities and reinforcing maritime deterrence throughout East Asia.
On Wednesday, China’s state broadcaster CCTV and the government-supported Global Times highlighted the expanded use of the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile, unveiling footage of a Type 052D destroyer firing the weapon in a promotional trailer for a six-part documentary commemorating the 99th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army.
The YJ-20 was initially revealed at a military parade in Beijing in September 2025. While the missile had previously been confirmed aboard China’s larger Type 055 guided-missile destroyers, the latest footage signifies its first publicly known deployment on a Type 052D destroyer.
China has approximately 40 Type 052D destroyers, which serve as the core of its surface fleet and are frequently stationed in the contested South China Sea and other key maritime areas throughout East Asia.
As reported by the Global Times, the YJ-20 utilizes a vertical “cold launch” system, which enables the missile to be expelled from its launch tube prior to the ignition of its engine. This approach is intended to enhance both operational safety and launch efficiency.
Western and Asian military analysts view China’s hypersonic missile program as one of its most important strategic assets. Defense experts indicate that the YJ-20 marks a significant improvement compared to previous versions, boasting an estimated range of up to 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) and the capability to engage moving naval targets.
Analysts suggest that the missile may significantly enhance China’s naval capabilities in the event of a conflict involving Taiwan, improving its capacity to project power and confront adversarial forces throughout regional waters.
Hypersonic weapons move at speeds surpassing Mach 5, which is over five times the speed of sound, rendering them highly challenging for current missile defense systems to intercept.
In its annual assessment of China’s military modernization released in December, the Pentagon stated that Beijing has the largest hypersonic missile arsenal in the world and is making ongoing advancements in the development of both conventional and nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon technologies.
