The YJ-12 (Chinese: 鹰击-12; pinyin: yīngjī-12; lit. 'Eagle Strike 12') is a Chinese supersonic anti-ship cruise missile[4][5] manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).[6]

YJ-12
YJ-12A anti-ship missile launcher
TypeAnti-ship cruise missile
Place of originChina
Service history
In servicec.2011–present
Used by
Production history
ManufacturerChina Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC)
Specifications
Warhead205–500 kg (452–1,102 lb)[1][2]

Engineintegrated ramjet/booster propulsion system[3]
Operational
range
250–270 nmi (290–310 mi; 460–500 km)
Maximum speed Mach 2.5 to 4
Guidance
system
BeiDou satellite navigation with mid-course updates, terminal active radar homing
Launch
platform
  • Surface ship launched
  • TEL-launched
  • Air-launched

Description

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Xi'an H-6 Strategic bomber armed with YJ-12 anti-ship missiles

The YJ-12 resembles a lengthened Kh-31.[3] According to the United States, the air-launched (YJ-12) and ship-launched (YJ-12A) variants have 270 nmi (310 mi; 500 km) ranges.[4][5] Speeds of Mach 2.5[3] to 4[1] have been reported. The YJ-12 may perform evasive maneuvers to avoid anti-missile threats.[7]

According to War on the Rocks, a ship has 45 seconds to engage a YJ-12 after sea-skimming missile appears over the horizon and is detected. In 2014, the United States Navy (USN) intended to counter air-launched YJ-12 saturation attacks by destroying Chinese strike aircraft at long range before the missiles are launched; the tactic relies on Cooperative Engagement Capability.[8]

Development

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In August 2000, the Chinese unveiled a model of an air-launched missile labeled as the YJ-91, resembling the French Air-Sol Moyenne Portée. Later, a similar-looking missile was seen that may have been designated as the YJ-12. The YJ-91 designation ultimately went to the Chinese development of the Russian Kh-31.[9]

Externally, the YJ-12 resembled a lengthened Kh-31.[3]

The YJ-12 appeared at the 2015 China Victory Day Parade,[10] indicating that the missile had entered active service since all weapons showcased during the parade are actively inducted prior to the parade.[11]

The YJ-12A was reportedly in development in 2014.[9] The YJ-12A entered service around 2020 aboard refitted Type 051B and Sovremenny-class destroyers of the People Liberation Army Navy.[12]

The YJ-12B was reportedly deployed to the Spratly Islands around April 2018.[13] They may cover the southern half of the South China Sea when based on three largest Chinese-controlled islands.[14]

Variants

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YJ-12
Air-launched variant with a 270 nmi (310 mi; 500 km) range.[5]
YJ-12A
Ship-launched variant with a 270 nmi (310 mi; 500 km) range.[4]
YJ-12B
Land-based variant with a 250 nmi (290 mi; 460 km) range.[14]
CM-302
Export variant. According to the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, it is an anti-ship and land-attack missile with a 280 km (170 mi; 150 nmi) range, a 250 kg (550 lb) warhead, and launched from air, land, and naval platforms The missile uses BeiDou satellite navigation, with active radar terminal guidance; the target may be updated by data-link.[15]

Operators

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Current operators

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  Algeria
  Pakistan
  People's Republic of China

See also

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Related development

Comparable missiles

References

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  1. ^ a b Renjie, Guo, ed. (4 February 2015). "China's anti-ship missiles YJ-12 and YJ-100 revealed". China Military Online. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Pradun: From Bottle Rockets to Lightning Bolts, p.14". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
  3. ^ a b c d Gormley, Dennis M.; Erickson, Andrew S.; Yuan, Jingdong (30 September 2014). "A Potent Vector: Assessing Chinese Cruise Missile Developments". Joint Forces Quarterly (75). National Defense University: 102. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023, p. 57.
  5. ^ a b c Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023, p. 58.
  6. ^ "震撼:中国3大军工巨头在航展上竟展示如此多新导弹". Sina News. 9 November 2016.
  7. ^ Minnick, Wendell (August 8, 2017). "China Puts Guam Within Missile Range". Defense News.
  8. ^ Haddick, Robert (2 July 2014). "China's Most Dangerous Missile (So Far)". War on the Rocks. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  9. ^ a b "YJ-91/YJ-12 (China), Offensive weapons". janes.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  10. ^ Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (4 September 2015). "China showcases new weapon systems at 3 September parade". IHS Jane's 360. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  11. ^ "陈士强:抗战胜利70周年纪念活动充分展示我军战斗力--军事--人民网". military.people.com.cn. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  12. ^ Sutton, H.I. (1 May 2020). "China Increases Potency Of Anti-Carrier Capabilities". Forbes. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  13. ^ Macias, Amanda (May 2, 2018). "China quietly installed defensive missile systems on strategic Spratly Islands in hotly contested South China Sea". CNBC.
  14. ^ a b Stashwick, Steven (14 June 2018). "China deploys anti-ship missiles on islands in the South China Sea". The Diplomat. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  15. ^ Tate, Andrew; Gibson, Neil (9 November 2016). "China offers export version of YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  16. ^ The Military Balance 2024, p. 344.
  17. ^ The Military Balance 2024, p. 302.
  18. ^ The Military Balance 2024, p. 260.
Bibliography