Recent images circulated on social media and analysed by specialised observers indicate that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China may have begun integrating an air-launched variant of the SY-400 ballistic missile, also known as the YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile, on its J-10C multirole fighters. If confirmed, this would represent a new step toward expanding the range of platforms on which air-launched ballistic missile systems are employed, which have previously been observed on bombers and surface combatants.
The SY-400 (Shenying, or “Divine Eagle”) is a mobile, short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) system developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). Often compared to the Russian Iskander-M with some accuracy issues with its guidance system.
SY-400 Rockets typically carry a 200kg warhead with a range of approximately 180–200 km. A variant of the SY-400, known as BP-12A, can carry a heavier 480kg warhead with a range of up to 400 km (though export versions are often limited to 280 km to comply with MTCR guidelines).
Air-launched variant utilises GPS/INS (Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System) guidance instead of the inaccurate Beidou satellite system, achieving a circular error probable (CEP) of more than 100 metres.
An analysis of a recently released photograph indicates that a Chengdu J-10C fighter was captured carrying what has been identified as the YJ-21E variant of the YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile. This version is believed to be a smaller variant of the YJ-21/KD-21, specifically designed for employment from fighter aircraft and unmanned platforms.
The analyst known as Hurin, who closely follows Chinese aerospace and military developments, noted that the missile observed corresponds to a reduced-size version of the YJ-21 previously seen on Xian H-6K bombers of the PLAAF. The same analyst also shared images of a display model of the YJ-21E presented at a defense exhibition.
In the analyzed image, the J-10C carries the missile on its left wing, while the rest of its external configuration is limited to three external fuel tanks. No unit markings or serial numbers are visible, which some observers attribute to operational security (OPSEC) measures.
Designations and background of the YJ-21 / KD-21 missile.
The YJ-21 missile is known by several designations, and work began after Russia introduced the air-launched Iskander (Kinzhal) hypersonic missile. Some Chinese analysts identify it as the KD-21, while the People’s Liberation Army has internally designated it as the 2PZD-21, a nomenclature that has appeared on examples carried by H-6K bombers since at least 2022 in unofficial imagery.
The YJ-21 designation was reported by Chinese state-affiliated media, including the Global Times, which attributed the name to “foreign media.” This designation was later officially confirmed during the military parade on September 3, when models of the missile mounted on ground vehicles were displayed bearing the YJ-21 marking.
The KD-21 has previously been reported as part of the payload of CH-series unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), displayed in October 2024. Months earlier, in July of the same year, images showed an H-6K bomber carrying four of these missiles, shortly after official footage captured the system being launched during tests.
In March 2024, a Xian H-6N bomber was observed carrying the new YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile. Subsequently, in April 2025, new images showed an H-6K from the 10th Bomber Regiment carrying two KD-21 missiles during the “Strait Thunder-2025A” exercise conducted by the Eastern Theater Command (ETC) near Taiwan. At the time, several analysts assessed that the system had already reached operational status.
Separately, in August 2024, Global Defense Corp circulated images and videos showing the launch of a YJ-21 missile from a Type 055 destroyer of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The launch was reportedly conducted from a Renhai-class vessel, but it was not possible to definitively identify which ship participated in the test. No official confirmation was issued by China’s Ministry of Defense.
Images of the YJ-21E carried by the J-10C show red and yellow bands near the nose of the weapon. Under international military standards, blue bands typically indicate inert or training munitions, while yellow bands denote live warheads. However, it remains unclear whether China follows the same color-coding conventions, as other KD-21 examples have shown variations in markings or no markings at all.
Because the missile is not fully visible in the photograph—particularly the rear section and control surfaces—analysts note that it is not yet possible to precisely determine the dimensional differences between the YJ-21E and the larger variants used by H-6 bombers.
The potential integration of the YJ-21E on this aircraft would expand the range of Chinese aerial platforms capable of employing air-launched ballistic missiles, adding to bombers, drones, and surface combatants.
To date, there has been no official confirmation from the PLAAF regarding the entry into service of the YJ-21E on the J-10C. Nevertheless, the available photographic evidence suggests that integration testing is, at a minimum, already underway and will take some time to go operational.
© 2026, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
