YJ-20 Missile

Full Specifications

YJ‑20 Hypersonic Anti‑Ship Missile

The unveiling of the YJ-20 marks a significant leap in modern naval strike capability — a hypersonic, aeroballistic anti-ship missile that could reshape maritime power balance in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Designed by China’s defense industry, the YJ-20 was publicly revealed during the 2025 Victory Day parade, signaling the introduction of a next-generation “carrier killer.”

Manufactured in China, the YJ-20 is purpose-built for long-range anti-ship strike missions, intended to target large surface combatants such as aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and other high-value naval assets. Its biconic aerodynamic design — a comparatively simpler profile than scramjet‑powered cruise missiles — suggests an aeroballistic trajectory, relying on a solid rocket boost followed by a high-speed reentry with terminal maneuvering capability to evade defenses.

Performance estimates indicate a cruise or mid-course flight at hypersonic speeds and a terminal dive likely reaching speeds up to Mach 6–7, potentially accelerating toward Mach 9 in the final seconds. The YJ-20’s range is assessed at roughly 1,500–2,000 kilometers — giving the launching navy the ability to strike targets far beyond the horizon, keeping launch platforms out of enemy counterstrike envelope.

Guidance is believed to integrate inertial navigation with mid-course updates (likely via datalink or satellite navigation) and an active radar or imaging-infrared seeker for terminal homing, designed to hit maneuvering surface vessels even under contested electronic-warfare conditions. The warhead—though exact weight is unconfirmed—is believed sufficient to inflict catastrophic damage on large ships, through a combination of hypersonic kinetic energy and explosive payload.

Operationally, the YJ-20 is slated for launch from the vertical launch systems (VLS) of major surface combatants — especially large destroyers — and potentially future submarine or surface-based launchers. In doing so, it becomes a critical element of China’s Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) posture — capable of deterring or threatening carrier strike groups and other forward-deployed naval forces.

YJ-20 Missile Price

Pricing for advanced hypersonic anti-ship missiles like YJ-20 is not publicly disclosed. Given its strategic nature, cost likely depends on batch production and delivery terms; no credible public estimates exist for U.S. sale or export variants.