YJ-18 Anti-Ship Missile

Full Specifications

YJ-18 Sea Strike Anti-Ship Cruise Missile

The YJ-18 Anti-Ship Cruise Missile represents a new generation of China’s long-range naval strike capability. Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), this missile serves as a cornerstone of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) offensive suite, combining range, precision, and survivability against modern maritime defenses.

Design and Capabilities

Designed for launch from both surface vessels and submarines, the YJ-18 employs a two-stage propulsion system—a turbojet engine for efficient subsonic cruising and a solid rocket booster for a high-speed terminal sprint. This configuration allows the missile to cruise quietly below radar coverage at approximately Mach 0.8, then accelerate to Mach 2.5–3.0 in its final attack phase.

With an estimated range of 220–540 km, the YJ-18 gives Chinese naval forces a substantial stand-off distance, enabling first-strike capability against surface combatants such as aircraft carriers and destroyers. Its active radar seeker, combined with inertial and satellite navigation, ensures high terminal accuracy even under electronic countermeasures.

The missile carries a 300–500 kg high-explosive or penetration warhead, capable of crippling or sinking medium and large vessels. The YJ-18 can be launched from Type 052D destroyers, Type 055 cruisers, and Yuan-class submarines, integrating seamlessly into China’s expanding blue-water fleet.

Operational Role

The YJ-18’s combination of stealthy approach, high terminal speed, and multi-platform flexibility has significantly enhanced the PLAN’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) posture in the South and East China Seas. It remains one of the most closely monitored threats by Western navies due to its resemblance in performance to Russia’s 3M-54E Klub missile.

YJ-18 Anti-Ship Missile Price in United States

While not available for export or U.S. acquisition, defense analysts estimate the YJ-18’s unit cost at around $2.5–3 million USD based on comparable Western missile systems with similar capabilities.