An export version called YJ-21E was showcased in Airshow China 2022, depicted underslung from theH-6K bomber.[3]
The air-launched YJ-21, also called KD-21, was showcased by Chinese state media in 2024.[4] The export version, YJ-21E, was displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow again in November 2024.[5] In July 2024, a photograph showed the H-6K bomber taking off while carrying four KD-21 missiles.[6] In the same year, the KD-21 was also depicted as part of the armaments for China'sCH-Series unmanned aerial vehicles.[7]
In April 2025, the Chinese Air Force (PLAAF) official media account displayed H-6 bombers fitted with YJ-21 (KD-21) missiles.[8] This report confirmed for the first time that KD-21 is operational with the PLAAF.[9][10]
In 2022, an unidentified hypersonic missile was revealed by the Chinese Navy ahead of its 73rd anniversary, launching from a universal vertical launch system of theType 055 destroyer. The Chinese Navy did not reveal the missile's designation, but defense analysts believed it to be the ship-launched version of the YJ-21.[1][11] However, with the emergence of theYJ-20 hypersonic missile in 2025, having a more closely aligned profile to the missile launched by Type 055 in 2022, analysts believed these were two separate missile developments.[12][13][14]
Air-launched ballistic missile. First shown atAirshow China 2022.[16] Four missiles can be carried at once by a H-6K bomber. This missile is derived from YJ-21[17] orCM-401 anti-ship ballistic missile.[18] The missile is speculated to serve both land attack and anti-ship roles, and serve alongside the largerKF-21 (NATO designation: CH-AS-X-13) aero-ballistic missile.[19][20]
