China has armed its H-6K bomber with the YJ-21 hypersonic missile, marking a significant technological upgrade. The H-6K, a modernized variant of the Soviet-era Tu-16, is now capable of carrying a range of advanced munitions, including the YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missile and the KD-20 land attack missile. However, the addition of the air-launched YJ-21 hypersonic missile, reportedly capable of reaching Mach 6, places China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) ahead in the hypersonic weapons race.
The YJ-21 missile has previously been linked to surface-ship launch applications, specifically being fired from the Type 055 destroyer, but its air-launched variant appears to be a recent development. This missile could extend the bomber’s stand-off strike capability, allowing it to engage targets from a safe distance, especially during “encirclement” missions around Taiwan, which have become a regular part of China’s military operations
This capability could enhance China’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy, complicating U.S. and allied naval responses in the region. The Pentagon has noted China’s growing bomber fleet and its integration of advanced weapons, positioning the H-6K as a critical part of China’s rapidly modernizing military.
