Chinese State media shows hypersonic anti-ship weapons fired from Type 055 Destroyer, signaling missile nearing service and posing new challenges to Sea defense.
China has conducted its first publicly confirmed live-fire test of a ship-launched YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile, releasing official footage that signals the weapon may be approaching operational deployment with the People’s Liberation Army Navy.
Video broadcast by Chinese state media on Sunday showed the missile being launched from a Type 055 guided-missile destroyer during what was described as a “finalization test,” a term commonly used by Chinese military authorities to indicate a system’s last major trial before mass production or frontline service. The missile was shown striking and destroying its target, though no details were released on range or test conditions.
The footage, published by China Military Bugle, an official outlet of the PLA News Media Center, marks the first time Beijing has shown a live firing of the YJ-20 from a surface warship. Military analysts say the public release suggests growing confidence in the system’s readiness.
The launch was carried out from the Type 055 destroyer Wuxi, one of the Chinese navy’s most advanced surface combatants. The missile was fired from a vertical launching system using a cold-launch technique, in which the weapon is ejected from the launcher before its engine ignites, a method designed to reduce stress on the ship and improve launch safety.
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Chinese military analyst Zhang Junshe told state-backed media that the YJ-20 is a maneuverable hypersonic missile capable of flying at speeds exceeding Mach 5. He described it as a boost-glide system, consisting of a rocket booster and a bicone-shaped glide vehicle that generates shockwaves during flight, allowing it to maneuver at extreme speeds.
According to Zhang, the missile’s speed and flight profile are intended to complicate interception by modern naval air defense systems. He added that the YJ-20 can approach targets at steep angles, similar to ballistic missiles, further increasing the difficulty of defense.
The missile was first unveiled publicly during China’s Victory Day military parade in Beijing on September 3, alongside other advanced weapons highlighting Beijing’s expanding hypersonic strike ambitions.
The Type 055 destroyer, displacing about 10,000 tons, is considered the backbone of China’s blue-water fleet. Designed for air defense, anti-ship warfare, and command roles, the class is expected to operate with aircraft carrier groups and independent task forces.
Analysts say deploying hypersonic missiles from such platforms would extend China’s operational reach far from its coastline, reinforcing its ability to project power in contested waters. While Chinese authorities have not formally confirmed the YJ-20’s operational status, the live-fire footage signals a significant step toward frontline deployment, adding to growing global competition in hypersonic naval weapons.