China has unveiled the YJ-9ER air-launched anti-ship missile, which has a reported range of 30 kilometres when launched from helicopters and 60 kilometres when fired from fixed-wing aircraft. This represents double the range of the earlier YJ-9 variant.
The missile is designed to engage small, fast-moving vessels and missile boats, and could pose a threat to Taiwan’s Tuo Chiang-class corvettes. Its extended range would allow launch platforms to engage targets from greater distances, reducing their exposure to short-range naval air defence systems.
However, the missile’s effectiveness will depend on the accuracy of target detection and tracking, as well as the ability of opposing vessels to manoeuvre and deploy countermeasures. Its technical specifications and operational service status have not been independently confirmed, and the reported range figures require further verification.
