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China's military weapons
ChinaMilitary

Chinese navy shows off hypersonic anti-ship missiles in public

  • Military analysts said displaying the YJ-21, or Eagle Strike 21, may be a warning to the United States or Taiwan
  • The missiles are designed to target aircraft carrier strike groups

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Footage of the missile launch was released online.  Photo: Weibo
Minnie Chan

The Chinese navy has shown off an advanced anti-ship missile ahead of celebrations to mark its 73rd anniversary this weekend.

It was the first time footage has been released of the YJ-21, or Eagle Strike-21, hypersonic missile, which can be carried by ships or warplanes.

The missile is estimated to have a range between 1,000 to 1,500km (600 to 930 miles), and is believed to be capable of hitting a whole carrier strike group

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Video footage circulating on social media showed a missile that looks like YJ-21 being launched from a Type 055, the People’s Liberation Army’s largest and most advanced destroyer.

The Type 055, which has 112 vertical launch missile cells, is designed as a multipole warship armed with air-defence, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.

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