The CM-400 is a family of Chinese supersonic air-launched missiles that includes anti-ship missile and anti-radiation missile variants manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).
Development and history
The CM-400AKG was unveiled at the 2012 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition,[2] where it was claimed to have entered service on Pakistan Air Force CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunders.[3] At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, a Pakistani military source claimed the missile was in Chinese service, and that an anti-ship version was in development. In 2014, a PAF JF-17 was spotted carrying two – possibly mock-up – CM-400AKGs, suggesting the missile was still in development.[2]
At the 2013 Paris Air Show, Fábrica Argentina de Aviones officials revealed the missile’s performance was a major reason for their interest in co-producing the JF-17.[2]
Design
The CM-400AKG supersonic anti-ship missile is a derivative of the SY-400 guided rocket, also developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).[2]
The CM-400AKG is advertised as having a 510 cm (16.7 ft) length, a 400 mm (16 in) diameter, a mass of 910 kg (2,010 lb), and a range of 100–240 km (62–149 mi; 54–130 nmi),[2] and capable of carrying either a 150 kg (330 lb) blast warhead or a 200 kg (440 lb) penetrator warhead.[4] It has a high cruise altitude and a steep terminal dive (semi-ballistic flight profile[5]), with a maximum terminal speed of Mach 4.5 to Mach 5. Seeker options include “INS + GNSS + Passive Radar Seeker,” potentially for anti-ship with a circular error probable (CEP) of 5 m (16 ft)., and “INS-GNSS+IR/TV Seeker”, with a CEP of 5–10 m (16–33 ft).[2] Pakistan air force officials described the missile as “an aircraft carrier killer.”[3]
In the aftermath of the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, Pakistan Air Force officials claimed that CM-400AKG has a range of 400 km (250 mi), a terminal locking range of 30 km (19 mi), a speed of Mach 5, and a passive mode for anti-radiation and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions.[6]
Operational history
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reportedly purchased 60 CM-400AKG missiles from China in 2017 and 2018.[7]
The CM-400AKG saw its first-ever live combat use during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, when the PAF used the missiles to target an Indian S-400 air defense system.[8]
According to the Indian Air Force, at least 60 such missiles were fired towards the S-400 complex at Adampur airbase over the course of four days. The PAF attempted varying profiles, with the missiles flying at speeds ranging from Mach 3.3 to Mach 5, but none were able to find their mark.[9] Pakistan has been unable to present any evidence, whether satellite imagery or otherwise, even from third parties, to substantiate their claims.[10]
In March 2026, images were published online showing the integration of the CM-400 onto Serbian Air Force and Air Defence MiG-29s.[1]
Operators
- Pakistan Air Force (PAF)[7]
References
- ^ a b Newdick, Thomas (2026-03-10). “Serbian MiG-29 Appears Armed With Chinese Supersonic Standoff Missiles”. The War Zone. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
- ^ a b c d e f Richard D. Fisher Jr. (2014-10-22). “Images show JF-17 flying with CM-400AKG hypersonic ASM”. janes.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
- ^ a b Richard D Fisher Jr (2014-10-22). “Images show JF-17 flying with CM-400AKG hypersonic ASM”. IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
- ^ Stephen Trimble (2013-11-19). “DUBAI: China details performance of ‘carrier killer’ missile for JF-17”. flightglobal.com. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
- ^ “First Strike in the Hypersonic Era: Pakistan Claims JF-17-Launched CM-400AKG Took Out India’s S-400”. Defence Security Asia. 11 May 2025.
- ^ Warnes, Alan (19 September 2025). “XCLUSIVE: Full article – Understanding the Rafale kills”. AirForce Monthly. No. November 2025. p. 43-58.
- ^ a b Axe, David (2021-11-10). “The Pakistani Air Force’s Strange New Chinese Missiles”. The National Interest. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ^ Tong, Zhang (2025-05-14). “China reveals tech ‘breakthrough’ behind Pakistan’s hypersonic strike on India”. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ^ Som, Vishnu (2026). The Sky Warriors: Operation Sindoor Unveiled. Juggernaut. p. 77. ISBN 9789353459567.
- ^ Som, Vishnu (2026). The Sky Warriors: Operation Sindoor Unveiled. Juggernaut. p. 80. ISBN 9789353459567.
- ^ Vojinović, Petar (2026-03-09). “[POSLEDNJA VEST] Vojska Srbije poseduje balističke supersonične rakete: Srpski MiG-ovi 29SM+ uočeni kako nose kineske rakete vazduh-zemlja CM400”. Tango Six (in Serbian). Retrieved 2026-03-09.