China Unveils Advanced YJ-20 Anti-Ship Missile, Potential Taiwan Contingency Tool

Chinese state media has reported on the deployment plan for the country's latest anti-ship missile, the YJ-20. This missile has been developed to attack enemy naval vessels and is considered a crucial part of China's naval power enhancement. State broadcaster CCTV and the online media outlet Global Times have released footage showing a Type-52D destroyer launching a YJ-20 missile. The YJ-20 was also displayed during a military parade in Beijing last September. While initially intended for larger vessels like the Type-055, this marks the first confirmation of its integration with the Type-52 class destroyers. China currently operates approximately 40 Type-52 class destroyers, which are frequently deployed in disputed areas of the South China Sea and various locations across East Asia. The YJ-20 missile is launched from a vertical launching system, igniting its engine after ascending to fly towards its target. It is reported to have a range of 1500km and the capability to strike moving ships. This new missile is expected to serve as a vital asset for the Chinese navy in securing maritime interests in East Asia during a future Taiwan contingency. Furthermore, the YJ-20 is capable of hypersonic flight (more than five times the speed of sound), making it difficult to intercept even with current missile defense systems. The U.S. Department of Defense's December report identified China as a global leader in hypersonic weapon technology. China is also advancing the development of hypersonic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, in addition to conventional weaponry.