| YJ-12 | |
|---|---|
 YJ-12A anti-ship missile launcher | |
| Type | Anti-ship cruise missile |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | c.2011–present |
| Used by | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | 205–500 kg (452–1,102 lb) |
| Engine | integrated ramjet/booster propulsion system |
| 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 |
|
The YJ-12 (Chinese: 鹰击-12; pinyin: yīngjī-12; lit. 'Eagle Strike 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 (310 mi; 500 km) 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
- YJ-12
- Air-launched variant with a 270 nmi (310 mi; 500 km) range.
- YJ-12A
- Ship-launched variant with a 270 nmi (310 mi; 500 km) range.
- YJ-12B
- Land-based variant with a 250 nmi (290 mi; 460 km) range.
- 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.
Operators
Current operators
- Algerian National Navy, CM-302 (land-based)
- Pakistan Navy, CM-302 (ship-launched)
See also
Related development
Comparable missiles
- 3M-54 Klub – (Russia)
- BrahMos – (Russia, India)
- P-800 Oniks – (Russia)
- Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon – (France, Italy, United Kingdom)
- ASM-3 – (Japan)
- Yun Feng – (Taiwan)
References
- ^ 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.
- "Pradun: From Bottle Rockets to Lightning Bolts, p.14". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023, p. 57.
- ^ Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023, p. 58.
- "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.
- Minnick, Wendell (August 8, 2017). "China Puts Guam Within Missile Range". Defense News.
- Haddick, Robert (2 July 2014). "China's Most Dangerous Missile (So Far)". War on the Rocks. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ^ "YJ-91/YJ-12 (China), Offensive weapons". janes.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (4 September 2015). "China showcases new weapon systems at 3 September parade". IHS Jane's 360. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- "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.
- Sutton, H.I. (1 May 2020). "China Increases Potency Of Anti-Carrier Capabilities". Forbes. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- Macias, Amanda (May 2, 2018). "China quietly installed defensive missile systems on strategic Spratly Islands in hotly contested South China Sea". CNBC.
- ^ Stashwick, Steven (14 June 2018). "China deploys anti-ship missiles on islands in the South China Sea". The Diplomat. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- 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.
- The Military Balance 2024, p. 344.
- The Military Balance 2024, p. 302.
- The Military Balance 2024, p. 260.
- Bibliography
- The International Institute for Strategic Studies (13 February 2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-78004-7.
- Pradun, Vitaliy O. (Spring 2011). "From Bottle Rockets to Lightning Bolts: China's Missile Revolution and PLA Strategy against U.S. Military Intervention". Naval War College Review. 64 (2). United States Naval War College. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- United States Office of the Secretary of Defense (19 October 2023). Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China (PDF) (Report).