How Beijing’s hypersonic ‘carrier killers’ could distract US forces in a Taiwan conflict
The advancement and diversification of Beijing’s anti-ship missile platforms have bolstered its denial capabilities in the first island chain and could divert US and allied navies from warfare in a Taiwan Strait contingency, according to analysts. Last week, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV released a video of a Type 052D destroyer firing a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from its vertical…
Beijing's development of hypersonic anti-ship missiles presents a potential threat to US forces in the Taiwan Strait. The PLA Navy recently demonstrated its capability with the YJ-20 missile, which entered mass production as part of a broader anti-access/area denial strategy to deter adversaries in the region. This hypersonic weapon, capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, could force US naval forces to maintain a distance, potentially disrupting coordinated operations.
The Chinese navy's emphasis on sea denial and distributed lethality, coupled with the submarine-launched YJ-19 missile, heightens the challenge for US warships. While US anti-submarine warfare capabilities remain robust, China's combination of stealth and long-range strike capability sets a formidable challenge for carrier strike groups operating in contested waters.
As the US continues to supply Taiwan with military aid, the presence of these advanced Chinese anti-ship missiles could further complicate any future conflict in the region.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
