Advanced aircraft, menacing missiles – China’s top air show sends a warning to the US
- Anti-ship hypersonic YJ-21 missile makes first public appearance at top Chinese air show
- This year’s military display less about sales, more about messages, experts say
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Military experts said the weapon’s appearance at the 14th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China, could be seen as a warning to the United States on Taiwan.
Two missiles sporting the designation “2PZD-21” were seen mounted under the wings of an H-6K strategic bomber that landed at Jinwan airport in Zhuhai, the southern coastal city where the biennial air show is being held until Sunday.
The signature conical shape of the missile’s warhead is similar to the Russian Kh-47 Kinzhal nuclear-capable, high precision hypersonic air-launched missile, which is said to be able to reach Mach 12 with a range of more than 2,000km.
Dubbed the “carrier killer”, the Kh-47 Kinzhal can be launched from a MiG-31K interceptor or a Tu-22M3 bomber. But experts said the Chinese variant was more powerful and would deter US warships from entering the region in the event of a conflict.
