YJ 21E Hypersonic Anti Ship Missile

Full Specifications

The YJ 21E missile represents one of China’s most advanced long range strike weapons, built to challenge modern naval defenses. Designed as a hypersonic anti ship missile, it focuses on defeating high value maritime targets such as aircraft carriers and large surface combatants.

Overview and Origin

The YJ 21E is developed by China’s defense industry, with design roots linked to the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. It is believed to be an export oriented or air launched variant of the YJ 21 family. The missile reflects China’s growing emphasis on high speed precision weapons intended to deny access to contested maritime regions.

Purpose and Capabilities

The primary role of the YJ 21E is long range anti ship strike. After launch from a compatible combat aircraft, the missile accelerates to hypersonic speed and follows a high altitude trajectory before diving toward its target. This flight profile reduces reaction time for enemy air defense systems and increases survivability.

The missile is reported to reach speeds above Mach 3 plus, with some assessments suggesting even higher terminal velocity. Its range is estimated to exceed 1000 kilometers, depending on launch conditions and profile. Guidance likely combines inertial navigation with satellite updates and a terminal radar seeker for precision targeting.

Operational Use

For US analysts, the YJ 21E is significant because it supports China’s anti access and area denial strategy. When paired with long range sensors and networked targeting, it poses a serious challenge to naval forces operating in the Western Pacific. While operational details remain limited, the system highlights the shift toward hypersonic maritime strike capabilities.

YJ 21E Missile Price

The YJ 21E missile is not available for commercial sale. As a strategic military weapon, pricing is classified. Estimates based on comparable hypersonic programs suggest a unit cost likely exceeding several million US dollars per missile.