China equips H-6K nuclear bombers with YJ-21 hypersonic missiles with a speed of more than 12,000 km/h and a launch range of more than 2,000 km

China's H-6K nuclear bombers are now armed with hypersonic missiles. Strategic aeroplanes with the new weapons have begun flying around Taiwan.

Here's What We Know

Previously, the H-6K only used subsonic KD-20 long-range missiles and supersonic YJ-12 missiles to fight against ships. Now the bombers can launch the hypersonic YJ-21 missiles.

China unveiled the YJ-21 late last year during an air show in Zhuhai. It resembles Russia's X-42M hypersonic/aeroballistic missile, which is essentially an Iskander ballistic missile, but airborne.

The YJ-21 has a larger overall size than the Russian design. The Chinese hypersonic missile can reach speeds of up to Mach 10 (over 12,000 km/h). It has a maximum launch range of over 2,000 km.

The hypersonic missile is about 9 metres long and weighs up to 1 tonne. It uses China's Beidou navigation system paired with an active radar homing head for guidance.

Source: Global Times