China has developed hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) capable of launching air-to-air weapons at high-value aircraft located thousands of kilometres away, according to a Bloomberg report cited by NDTV. The development could pose a new challenge to US military aircraft operating across the Indo-Pacific.
The reported capability could threaten aircraft such as aerial refuelling tankers, airborne early-warning and control aircraft and flying command posts. These platforms are important because they provide fuel, surveillance and command support to fighter aircraft during military operations.
China is reportedly the only country publicly known to be developing and operating HGVs capable of launching air-to-air missiles. The development is part of Beijing's broader effort to expand the roles of its large missile arsenal.
How China's Hypersonic Weapon Works
A hypersonic glide vehicle is launched by a missile and then travels through the atmosphere at speeds of more than five times the speed of sound. Unlike a conventional ballistic warhead following a predictable path, an HGV can manoeuvre during flight, potentially making it harder for missile-defence systems to intercept.
According to the report, an HGV launched from China's DF-17 missile could travel about 2,414 kilometres. That is slightly less than the distance between mainland China and the US territory of Guam, which hosts a major American military presence.
China's more advanced DF-27 missile has an estimated maximum range of around 8,000 kilometres, potentially bringing targets as far away as Hawaii within its range.
Why Targeting Aircraft Is Difficult
Despite the reported capability, using such a weapon against a moving aircraft at extreme distances would be complicated.
A ballistic missile travelling near its maximum range could take 20 minutes or more to reach its target. During that period, the aircraft could change its position, meaning the weapon would require highly accurate and continuously updated targeting information.
This creates a long “kill chain”, involving sensors, surveillance systems and communication links that must continuously track the target. Any disruption to that chain could make a long-range attack more difficult.
There is also a serious escalation risk. A long-range ballistic missile launch could potentially be mistaken for a nuclear attack, creating what experts describe as a discrimination problem. In a major conflict, such uncertainty could increase the possibility of an unintended escalation.
China Expands Missile Capabilities
The report also said China's military has added air-to-air capabilities to some hypersonic cruise missiles and anti-ship capabilities to several types of missiles.
China already possesses one of the world's largest missile arsenals, with US estimates putting its ballistic missile inventory at more than 3,150 missiles as of 2024. Beijing's continued development of long-range and hypersonic systems is expected to remain an important factor in future military planning in the Indo-Pacific.
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