Algeria officially announces use of Chinese anti-ship missiles for coastal defense..

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.
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image translataion : The maritime coast is a vital and strategic space for drops and landings, and with growing concerns about the threat of sabotage against coastal targets, it has become imperative to keep pace with developments in the field of coastal defense. (Picture source: Algerian Costal defense units)

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.

Parallel to Algeria, its neighbors seem to be leaning towards purchasing this anti-ship missile. Indeed, the Moroccan army is considering acquiring a coastal defense system with a range of about 300 km.

Among the most viable options for Rabat in this regard are Rafael's Sea Breaker and IAI's Blue Spear, both Israeli-made. The fifth generation missiles they use can reach those 300 km and thus cover their EEZ.

There are also other options that Morocco has been evaluating for years, such as the Chinese CM-302 (YJ-12B) system, through which the supersonic missile can fly at a speed of Mach 3, unlike the Israeli one that does not reach Mach 1. As for the Turkish option, we find the Barbaros system that uses 4 ATMACA missiles or 6 Cakir missiles, with a range of 220 km and 150 km respectively.