The YJ-12 is a Chinese supersonic anti-ship cruise missile manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

Description

The YJ-12 resembles a lengthened Kh-31. According to the United States, the air-launched (YJ-12) and ship-launched (YJ-12A) variants have 270 nmi ranges. Speeds of Mach 2.5 to 4 have been reported. The YJ-12 may perform evasive maneuvers to avoid anti-missile threats. 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.

Development

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. Externally, the YJ-12 resembled a lengthened Kh-31. The YJ-12 appeared at the 2015 China Victory Day Parade, indicating that the missile had entered active service since all weapons showcased during the parade are actively inducted prior to the parade. The YJ-12A was reportedly in development in 2014. The YJ-12A entered service around 2020 aboard refitted Type 051B and Sovremenny-class destroyers of the People Liberation Army Navy. The YJ-12B was reportedly deployed to the Spratly Islands around April 2018. They may cover the southern half of the South China Sea when based on three largest Chinese-controlled islands.

Variants

Operators

Current operators