China’s New YJ-20 Hypersonic ‘Carrier Killer’ Gives Destroyer Fleet a Distinct Combat Advantage

Following confirmation that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has significantly expanded the deployment of its new YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile by integrating it onto Type 052D class destroyers, analysts have widely assessed the implications of this expanded use for the service’s combat capabilities. Previously associated primarily with the much larger Type 055 class destroyer, the missile’s appearance aboard China’s much more numerous Type 052D class ships, of which over 40 have been built, represents a major expansion of the Navy’s long-range maritime strike capabilities. Since the Type 052D first entered service in 2014, this appears to be the most significant milestone in efforts to enhance their capabilities. 

The integration of the YJ-20 highlights the growing flexibility of the Type 052D’s universal vertical launch system, which was designed to accommodate a diverse mix of long-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, land-attack cruise missiles and anti-submarine weapons. Its integration of hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missiles provides the destroyers with some of the most versatile arsenals in the world, and considerably expands the operational versatility of a destroyer class already regarded as one of the world’s most capable. The rapid growth of the Type 052D fleet, with some years seeing eight ships launched, while seven were commissioned in 2025 alone, makes their world leading anti-ship capabilities particularly concerning for hostile Western navies. 

The YJ-20 itself represents one of China’s most advanced conventional naval weapons. Estimated to have a range of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres, the missile follows a ballistic trajectory before executing manoeuvres during its terminal phase at hypersonic speeds of Mach 10. Its combination of speed, altitude changes and manoeuvrable re-entry presents an exceptionally difficult target for existing shipborne missile defence systems, making it particularly well suited for engaging aircraft carriers and other major surface combatants operating well beyond the reach of conventional anti-ship cruise missiles. This places its capabilities several generations ahead of the anti-ship missiles integrated onto Western destroyers. 

The Navy commissioned the 35th Type 052D class destroyer, the Tongchuan, in May 2026, which combined with ten Type 055 class destroyers provides it with 45 destroyers capable of integrating the YJ-20. All Type 052D and Type 055 class ships are expected to integrate the missiles. The Type 052D is in many respects the most important class of warship program in modern Chinese history, and was the first destroyer to be produced at scale reflecting the fact that it was the first destroyer type from the country that entered service at a technologically world leading level. While externally similar to the Type 052C class, its combat potential is several times greater, with its most outstanding improvement being the integration of a modern universal canister-based vertical launch system - the same as that of the Type 055 class. Each ship integrates 64 missile cells, compared to the Type 055 class’ 112 cells.