The YJ-21 (Eagle Strike-21) is China's ship-launched anti-ship ballistic missile, a hypersonic weapon designed to defeat US carrier strike group defenses. First revealed when the Type 055 destroyer Nanchang launched one during the August 2022 Taiwan Strait exercises, the YJ-21 follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory — boosting to high altitude before a maneuvering reentry vehicle dives at speeds of Mach 6–10, making it virtually impossible to intercept with current SM-2 or SM-6 missiles. Launched from the Type 055's universal VLS, the YJ-21 gives every Chinese destroyer carrier-killing capability previously limited to land-based DF-21D systems. An air-launched variant carried by the H-6N bomber extends engagement range to 3,000+ km. Western analysts consider the YJ-21 one of the most significant anti-access threats to US naval operations in the Western Pacific.
TECHNICAL SPECS
COMBAT HISTORY
No combat use. First publicly revealed during PLAN exercises near Taiwan in August 2022, when Type 055 destroyer Nanchang launched YJ-21 during live-fire drills.
