Algeria announces the arrival of anti-ship missiles of Chinese design, a major first and a shift in the regional balance of power. Indeed, tensions are high in the south of the country with an increased presence of terrorist groups operating in the area. There are also significant tensions to the north and at the borders, especially with Morocco concerning the Western Sahara issue.
The YJ-12B is an improved version of the Chinese supersonic anti-ship missile, the YJ-12. Designed to engage surface ships at great distances, this missile enhances China’s maritime strike capabilities. Capable of reaching speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 3, the YJ-12B is particularly difficult to intercept for conventional air defenses. With an effective range of about 500 kilometers, it allows for long-range attacks. The YJ-12B can be deployed from various platforms, including aircraft, ships, and mobile coastal launch systems.
The YJ-12B, as an advanced version of the original YJ-12 anti-ship missile, was first observed during parades and exercises in the 2010s. However, specific details about its service entry are not widely disclosed due to the sensitive and classified nature of Chinese military armament programs. Estimates suggest that the YJ-12B may have been in service or reached initial operational capability some time after the initial development of the YJ-12, which was revealed to the public in the early 2010s. It is therefore assumed that the YJ-12B has been in service for 5 or 6 years.
The first leaked images of the Yingji-12B in Algeria appeared on news channels in 2022, however, the Algerian government had not confirmed or formalized it.