YJ-12E missile is displayed at Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province. Photo: Leng Shumei/GT

China is displaying a domestic integrated maritime defense system at the 13th Airshow China, which kicked off on Tuesday in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, which experts said can cover a wide range of requirements in maritime defense.

It is the first time that the system, including the latest YJ-18E missile, has been displayed to the public, the Global Times learned from the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) at the exhibition. 

The system is an integrated, modularized and systematic overall solution for surface attacks. It is capable of target detection, command and control, firing strikes and weapon control. It includes the YJ-12E supersonic missile and CM-802B subsonic missile, and it can be flexibly applied in multiple platforms, including ships, trains and other vehicles. 

According to the CASIC, the YJ-18E missile system uses a combined mechanism of subsonic cruise and supersonic strikes, showing advantages on both ends: the long-range cruise ability of subsonic missiles and the end-phase attacks by supersonic missiles. 

It is capable of attacking medium- and large-sized ships and formations with a low risk of being detected, and it can also attack small ships and fixed targets on the ground. 

The missile can fly at extremely low altitudes. Its multiple guidance modes can be adapted for precise attacks against numerous targets at sea or on land, as well as vehicle- and ship-based launches. 

The integrated maritime defense system also includes the YJ-12E and CM-802B missiles, which both can be applied on multiple platforms. The former is mainly used to attack medium-sized and large ships, as well as high-value targets, while the latter can conduct attacks on ships from multiple angles. 

The CM-708UNB and CM-103 are also part of the system. The CM-708UNB is a submarine-launched anti-ship missile that can mainly be used in attacking medium- and large-sized ships, and it also can be used for attacking targets on the ground. 

The CM-103 missile system can attack various targets via changing different seekers.