PLA Navy’s J-15 Reportedly Seen Carrying YJ-15 Anti-Ship Missile for the First Time
•February 9, 2026
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Why It Matters
The YJ‑15 gives China’s carrier aviation a long‑range, hypersonic ship‑killing capability, reshaping power projection in the western Pacific and challenging U.S. naval dominance. Its deployment tightens the PLA’s A2/AD network, raising stakes for regional maritime security.
Key Takeaways
- •YJ‑15 spotted on J‑15T carrier fighter for first time
- •Missile likely exceeds Mach 5 with 1,200‑1,800 km range
- •Enhances PLAN carrier strike group's anti‑ship reach
- •Shares launch architecture with J‑16, H‑6K bombers
- •Completes China’s layered A2/AD missile portfolio
Pulse Analysis
The visual confirmation of the YJ‑15 on a J‑15T fighter underscores Beijing’s rapid integration of next‑generation weapons into its carrier air wing. Built on the YJ‑12 lineage, the missile’s four axisymmetric intakes hint at a scramjet or ramjet propulsion system, enabling sustained supersonic cruise at speeds beyond Mach 5. Its estimated 1,200‑1,800 km range far exceeds legacy anti‑ship missiles, allowing carrier‑borne aircraft to engage high‑value targets well outside the reach of most naval air defenses. This capability aligns with the PLAN’s broader push to field multi‑role platforms that can switch between air‑to‑air and air‑to‑surface missions, mirroring the flexibility of the U.S. F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet.
Strategically, the YJ‑15 bolsters China’s A2/AD architecture by adding a high‑speed, long‑range strike vector to its carrier strike groups. Coupled with shore‑based DF‑21D ballistic missiles and ship‑borne YJ‑18/YJ‑20 systems, the missile creates overlapping layers that complicate U.S. carrier task‑force planning in the western Pacific. The ability to launch a Mach 5 cruise missile from carrier decks narrows the reaction window for allied forces, potentially prompting adjustments in carrier escort tactics, early‑warning radar deployment, and electronic warfare suites. Analysts also note that the YJ‑15’s apparent compatibility with both the PLAAF J‑16 and the strategic bomber H‑6K suggests a logistics‑friendly approach, reducing training and maintenance burdens while expanding the missile’s operational footprint.
The YJ‑15’s emergence reflects a broader trend of China fielding hypersonic and scramjet‑powered weapons across services, a move that signals confidence in indigenous propulsion technologies and a desire to offset conventional naval superiority with speed and range. As the missile transitions from parade prototype to operational status, regional navies will need to reassess threat models, invest in counter‑hypersonic defenses, and consider diplomatic avenues to mitigate escalation. For defense planners, the YJ‑15 exemplifies how rapid weaponization of emerging technologies can reshape maritime power dynamics within a single development cycle, underscoring the importance of continuous intelligence gathering and adaptive procurement strategies.
PLA Navy’s J-15 Reportedly Seen Carrying YJ-15 Anti-Ship Missile for the First Time
The YJ-15 was among the new anti‑ship missiles that were revealed during the Sept. 3, 2025 parade in Beijing
China’s YJ‑15 supersonic anti‑ship cruise missile (ASCM), one of four new major ship‑killing missiles unveiled at the September 3, 2025 parade in Beijing, was possibly spotted for the first time mounted on a J‑15T carrier‑borne jet. The image, which emerged on February 7, 2025, appears to show two of the missiles under the jet’s wings.
This marks another addition to China’s growing arsenal of standoff surface‑strike missiles, such as the YJ‑21E and the CH‑AS‑X‑13, that can be launched from its J‑10C and H‑6K bombers against land and maritime targets in a high‑end war in the western Pacific with peer rival the United States.
The emergence of the new weapon follows the YJ‑18A ASCM that arms frontline PLAN destroyers like the Type 55 and Type 52D. Experts have described the YJ‑20—another missile displayed in the parade—as a hypersonic air‑launched ballistic missile.
“If legit, then this photo is the first confirmed sighting of a J‑15 carrying a YJ‑15 AShM.” – @RupprechtDeino, February 5, 2026
“Latest images confirm China’s J‑15T carrier fighter armed with YJ‑15 supersonic anti‑ship missiles. The YJ‑15 is probably able to achieve speeds in excess of Mach 5, with an estimated range of between 1,200 and 1,800 km.” – Fay, February 7, 2026
YJ‑15
At first glance, the YJ‑15 bears a striking resemblance to the Russian Kh‑31 missile, which also has an anti‑radiation version usually carried by the Su‑35S. The weapon appears to be a progression of the existing YJ‑12 air‑, ship‑ and ground‑launched supersonic ASCM.
The YJ‑15 has four axisymmetric air intakes, suggesting the presence of a scramjet or ramjet for supersonic speeds. Surface control consists of four long strakes and small stabilising fins for mid‑course adjustments, ahead of a small booster section with its own four fins.
“A slightly better shot of J‑15T carrying a YJ‑15 AShM, which could eventually replace both YJ‑12 and YJ‑83K.” – Dan The Man, February 6, 2026
According to Janes, the size of the body suggests a fuel capacity to support distances of up to 1,800 km. Following the appearance of the J‑15T photo, a user shared a 2022 image of a PLAAF J‑16 carrying a YJ‑15, suggesting possible commonality between the PLAAF and PLAN for logistical ease and cost effectiveness.
“The ramjet‑powered YJ‑15 supersonic anti‑ship cruise missile mockups that were displayed at the recent military parade in Beijing feature suspension lugs, which is to say that these were meant to represent air‑launched anti‑ship cruise missiles. The YJ‑15 is likely to be…” – Shahryar Pasandideh, September 4, 2025
The missile also arms the H‑6K bombers, which are known to carry YJ‑21/KD‑21 weapons for surface strikes. The H‑6K was spotted carrying four YJ‑21s in July 2024, and later footage showed the bomber dropping one of them.
Another user shared, on September 15, 2024, an image of an H‑6 carrying at least two older YJ‑12s on its port wing, suggesting it can carry a total of four, with two on the other side. This post was part of a thread discussing a YJ‑12B fired from road‑mobile launchers, striking a target vessel in a steep diagonal ballistic trajectory.
“Type 055 Destroyer Wuxi conducted the YJ‑20 AShM type approval test.” – dafeng cao, December 28, 2025
This could mean the YJ‑12 can also follow a quasi‑ballistic trajectory, not necessarily a sea‑skimming path, allowing terminal‑stage manoeuvres to evade air defenses. An angle‑from‑the‑rear view of the YJ‑15 also shows suspension lugs during the September parade, further confirming its air‑launched use.
China’s growing missile arsenal
Two other missiles displayed in the parade for the first time may also be demonstrated in the future:
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YJ‑17 – an air‑launched ballistic missile capable of releasing a boost‑glided hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).
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YJ‑19 – a dual‑stage system, with a cylindrical first stage releasing a scramjet‑powered hypersonic attack cruise missile (HACM)‑type anti‑ship missile.
Both weapons are described as anti‑ship systems, as the “YJ” designation in the PLA traditionally denotes maritime strike weapons. As with previous instances, the appearance of these weapons in China’s military parades suggests they will soon become operational, if not already inducted into service.
Notably, the YJ‑15’s appearance, like the YJ‑21E’s, came within months of that display, suggesting the missile may have been in service for a while and was only captured now for the first time.
“YJ‑19’s existence is somewhat wild, as it technically gives all PLAN submarines (including SSKs, and SSNs lacking VLS) a hypersonic scramjet anti‑shipping capability. I suppose given it succeeds YJ‑18 (which can also be torpedo‑tube launched), it makes sense…” – Rick Joe, August 27, 2025
The new development also reinforces the J‑15T’s role as the PLA Navy’s premier carrier‑borne fighter, undertaking both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑surface missions, similar to the U.S. F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet. The Fujian carrier has recorded milestones of launching the J‑15T, J‑15DT, J‑35 and the KJ‑600 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and the YJ‑15 is now possibly the first ship‑killing cruise missile that the PLAN’s naval aviation will carry.
Thus, with the ship‑fired YJ‑18 ASCM and YJ‑20 aeroballistic‑type hypersonic anti‑ship ballistic missile (ASBM), the YJ‑15 completes the dyad, giving carrier aviation an anti‑ship capability in a carrier strike group.
“Upgraded Chinese A2AD arsenal – YJ‑15 and YJ‑19 employ scramjet.” – Hûrin, December 4, 2025
This is in addition to the PLA Rocket Forces (PLARF) covering the entire western Pacific’s land and maritime targets with a layered anti‑access/area‑denial (A2/AD) umbrella. The primary carrier‑killing weapon here is the shore‑fired, road‑mobile DF‑21D anti‑ship ballistic missile (ASBM), which functions like a regular ballistic missile but is suspected to carry a maneuverable re‑entry vehicle (MaRV) that dives down on enemy armadas.
As noted before at The Aviationist, the diversity and growing number of China’s conventional weapons serve as a deterrent without relying on nuclear arms. Conventional arms alone can deliver massive retaliatory destruction without the fallout.
Nevertheless, China also possesses an estimated 600 nuclear warheads.
Summary of new naval missiles
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YJ‑15 – advanced, compact version of the YJ‑12 supersonic missile.
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YJ‑17 – hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).
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YJ‑18C – subsonic land‑attack variant of YJ‑18A.
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YJ‑19 – hypersonic cruise missile (HCM).
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YJ‑20 – hypersonic aeroballistic, navalised YJ‑21.
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