Successful launch poised to ‘improve the navy’s combat capabilities’ and create ‘nightmare’ for US Navy, military commentator says
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAlbee Zhangin ShanghaiPublished: 12:00pm, 31 Jul 2026A Type 052D destroyer fired a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile into the air, Chinese media footage showed, displaying capabilities that pose defence challenges for the United States and its allies.A YJ-20 missile was launched from a vertical launch system (VLS) of the Type 052D destroyer, according to a video released on Wednesday by state broadcaster CCTV. It is not known when the video was taken.The YJ-20 missile, also known as a carrier-killer, debuted at Beijing’s large-scale military parade in September last year.It is China’s first sea-based hypersonic anti-ship missile to have entered mass production.
