Military Watch Magazine

First Footage Shows Firing of China’s Bomber-Launched YJ-21 Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile

Footage released by Chinese state media has for the first time shown the launch of a YJ-21 anti-ship ballistic missile by a Chinese People’s liberation Army H-6K bomber, eight years after the missile was unveiled. First seen at the 2018 Zhuhai Airshow, the missile is estimated to have an engagement range of approximately 2000 kilometres and Mach 8-10 speed. With a significantly lighter weight than the larger CH-AS-X-13 strategic ballistic missile deployed by H-6N bombers, up to four YJ-21 missiles can reportedly be carried by a single H-6K, allowing squadrons of bombers to overwhelm adversaries’ defences. The fast expanding capabilities of the Chinese Y-20 tanker fleet is increasingly extending the ranges of bomber operations to allow for strikes against hostile warships further out to sea.