China has signalled that its YJ-20 hypersonic ship-to-ship missile is ready for mass production with the release of a video showing the advanced weapon being put through its “finalisation test”.
The footage of the YJ-20 being fired from the vertical launch system (VLS) of the Type 055 destroyer Wuxi was posted to social media on Sunday by China Military Bugle, the official People’s Liberation Army account.
“Missile hit. Target destroyed,” the crew can be heard saying over the radio, though neither the target nor any details of what it might be are revealed.
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The video does not specify the time or location of what it calls the missile finalisation test – the decisive evaluation phase to certify that the design meets all operational requirements. It serves as the official green light for mass production and deployment.
The YJ-20 – also known as Eagle Strike-20 – made its official debut in September, at the military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, alongside the YJ-15 and the hypersonic YJ-17 and YJ-19.
Previous videos released by the PLA Navy have appeared to show the YJ-20. In 2022, footage was released of what appeared to be the same model launching from a Type 055. A similar launch was spotted in a 2024 video. Neither was officially identified.
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