Deadly Launch from a Torpedo Tube / Stealth Submarines Equipped with Hypersonic Missiles

According to Rokna, amid escalating maritime tensions in East Asia, new information has emerged regarding the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), indicating a strategic advancement. According to these reports, China’s non-nuclear submarines have now been equipped with a weapon that was previously exclusive to nuclear submarines. This new weapon, the YJ-19 hypersonic missile, has officially joined the Yuan-class submarine fleet.

YJ-19 Missile; A New Threat to Defense Systems

This advanced cruise missile, first unveiled during the September 2025 military parade in Beijing, uses a scramjet propulsion system. Two prominent features of this missile are:

  • Extraordinary speed: The YJ-19 travels at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).

  • A nightmare for air defenses: The missile’s unique flight trajectory and high speed make interception difficult even for the most advanced air defense systems.

Type 039 Submarine; The First Non-Nuclear Submarine Equipped with Hypersonic Missiles

The arming of China’s Type 039 (Yuan-class) submarines with YJ-19 missiles is considered a significant strategic transformation. These submarines are equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology and can remain submerged and undetected for weeks without the need to surface.

  • China’s advantage over Russia: Unlike Russia’s Zircon missile, which can only be launched from specialized vertical launch silos, the YJ-19 has the capability to be fired from standard torpedo tubes (533 mm in diameter). This feature enables China to equip even its older submarines with this lethal system.

China; Superiority in Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missiles

The Chinese Navy now possesses the most advanced range of hypersonic anti-ship missiles in the world. Among them, three prominent missile models are:

  • YJ-17: Designed for launch from vertical silos.

  • YJ-19: Suitable for launch from torpedo tubes of tactical submarines.

  • YJ-20 or YJ-21: A maneuverable ballistic missile, suitable for Renhai-class destroyers.

With these developments, China is clearly reshaping the balance of power in the Pacific Ocean and creating major challenges for its rivals.

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