China’s Newly Combat Tested J-10C Fighters Integrate Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles For Expanded Mission Scope

New footage released by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command Air Force has for the first time shown a J-10C fighter carrying a new type of air-launched ballistic missile. The missile closely resembles the YJ-21 anti-ship ballistic missile which is carried by H-6K bombers, and appears to be a miniaturised version. The YJ-21 was first unveiled at the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow, and combines a 1500 kilometre range and Mach 10 speed, making it among the most potent anti-ship weapons fielded anywhere in the world. A miniaturised variant of the YJ-21 was first seen being carried by the CH-9 unmanned attack aircraft, and is estimated to have a weight of well under 1000 kilograms. The missile is thought to have a similar flight performance to its larger counterpart, but a shorter 500 kilometre range. 

The J-10C is the first lightweight single engine fighter type to integrate an air-launched ballistic missile, which remains a very rare type of weapon. The utility of such missiles has been demonstrated from early 2022 by the effective use of Kinzhal ballistic missiles fired by Russian MiG-31K/I heavyweight strike fighters to engage targets across Ukraine. With the MiG-31K/I being the world’s heaviest type of tactical combat jet, however, and being highly costly sustain meaning less than three dozen are estimated to be in service, the J-10C by contrast is fielded very widely with close to 50 being produced every year, allowing it to equip not only domestic fighter units, but also strategic partners. The Pakistan Air Force already operates the fighter type, while Indonesian officials have reported that large orders have already been placed. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Egypt and Uzbekistan have also placed orders, raising the possibility of the new missile being marketed to export clients.

The J-10C is the only post-Cold War Chinese fighter type to have been used in air-to-air combat, and reportedly achieved major successes in the hands of the Pakistan Air Force in early May, shooting down multiple Indian Air Force fighters including a reported one-to-four French-supplied Rafales. The addition of a YJ-21 derivative has the potential to significantly further increase the fighter’s appeal on export markets, allowing even a small number of aircraft to pose a major threat to enemy warships. In People’s Liberation Army service, the missile considerably improves the versatility of the fighters, and allows them to play a much greater role in maritime strike operations and engage targets much further out to sea. A significant possibility remains that the new missile is being utilised on a trial basis, and that its integration onto other much longer ranged fighter types such as the J-16 is currently under consideration.