China has revealed a new, remarkably inexpensive hypersonic missile that experts believe could disrupt the international defence market. The weapon, which uses innovative materials including foamed concrete, is priced at a fraction of the cost of comparable Western systems.
The YKJ-1000: A Budget Hypersonic Threat
On Thursday 4 December 2025, Chinese aerospace firm Lingkong Tianxing unveiled the YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile. The system has garnered the nickname the "cement-coated" missile due to its innovative use of materials like foamed concrete within its heat-resistant coating.
With a reported range of 1,300 kilometres, the missile's most startling feature is its price tag. It is set to cost approximately 700,000 yuan, equivalent to just £74,100. This stands in stark contrast to similar US-made hypersonic weapons, which typically run into the millions of pounds.
Market Disruption and Strategic Implications
Military commentator Wei Dongxu highlighted the missile's "dirt cheap price," suggesting it will be highly competitive. He and other analysts predict it could prove particularly popular with smaller nations seeking advanced capabilities on a limited budget.
The affordability of the YKJ-1000 is seen as a clear demonstration of China's ability to mass-produce sophisticated weaponry at a low cost. This technological and industrial feat has significant strategic ramifications.
Levelling the Playing Field in Global Defence
Experts warn that the proliferation of such cheap, advanced missiles could alter the global balance of power. By providing smaller or less wealthy states access to hypersonic technology, it potentially allows them to challenge larger, more established military powers.
The development arrives amid complex geopolitical tensions. It was announced on the same day that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented on the necessity of working with China, stating "We have to work with China – even if it threatens national security." The unveiling of the YKJ-1000 underscores the delicate balance between engagement and the realities of an evolving military landscape.
The entrance of the YKJ-1000 into the global arms market signals a new era where cost-effective, high-tech weaponry could become widely accessible, reshaping defence strategies and alliances worldwide.
