¯

What is the YJ-21 Missile?

Oct. 18, 2026

Footage released by Chinese state media recently 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.

About YJ-21 Missile:

  • The YJ-21, also known as the Eagle Strike 21, is a Chinese hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile.
  • It is designed for striking large, high-value naval targets, such as aircraft carriers.
  • It entered service in 2022.
  • Initially deployed on naval platforms, a bomber-launched variant was revealed in May 2024, significantly extending its operational reach.
  • Features:
    • It is a solid-fueled, two-stage missile with unique aerodynamic and propulsion systems optimized for hypersonic flight.
    • The missile achieves cruise speeds exceeding Mach 6 during its midcourse phase and reaches terminal velocities up to Mach 10.
    • It has a maximum range of approximately 1,500 km.
    • The missile’s high-speed trajectory is coupled with a quasi-ballistic flight path, allowing it to execute high-G maneuvers during its terminal approach.
    • It uses an Inertial Navigation System (INS) as well as an active radar-homing or infrared terminal-state seeker.

Latest Current Affairs

See All

Enquire Now