{
  "id": "yj-21",
  "name": "YJ-21",
  "aliases": [
    "Ying Ji-21",
    "Eagle Strike-21"
  ],
  "domain": "missile",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 2022,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "Chinese hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile carried in the vertical launch cells of Type 055 cruisers; an air-launched version has also been displayed. The source card estimates a range of 1,000 to 1,500 km and a terminal speed near Mach 10.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)",
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Propulsion",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "There is no evidence that the missile has any form of airbreathing propulsion, and is believed to be powered by only a single-stage solid-propellant rocket…",
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Guidance",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Guidance is believed to be provided by an inertial navigation system (INS) aided by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), GPS, and the BeiDou system.",
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "warhead",
      "v": "The missile is expected to feature a conventional warhead, which could be used against high-value surface targets. The training version lacks a warhead and instead carries a dummy payload to replicate",
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_mach",
      "v": 10,
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": [
        1000,
        1500
      ],
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "note": "1,000–1,500 km (est)"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 7,
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "diameter_m",
      "v": 0.75,
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "launch_weight_kg",
      "v": 3000,
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "YJ-21E",
      "text": "The YJ-21E is an export variant of the YJ-21 missile. It has a cylindrical mid-body design with a double-cone-shaped nose section and four control tailfins. It appears that the missile is optimized for use from fighters and UCAVs.",
      "src": [
        "weg-yj-21"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "srbm",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/yj-21.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-yj-21": {
      "title": "YJ-21 Chinese Medium-Range Ballistic Missile",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/YJ-21_Chinese_Medium-Range_Ballistic_Missile",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}