Multipolarity Multipolarity Advent Calendar: Day Seven
Dec 17, 2025
The hosts explore the geopolitical significance of the new Chinese YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile, revealing its impressive capabilities at an astonishingly low cost. They discuss innovations like foamed concrete heat shielding that contribute to its affordability. The logistics of deployment are fascinating, with a shipping-container launcher allowing for covert operations. Tactics inspired by Yemen are examined, indicating how these advancements could challenge U.S. naval power. Finally, they eye potential long-term shifts in military strategy due to the proliferation of such missiles.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hypersonics Become Cheap Game-Changers
- China’s YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile cuts costs dramatically to under $100,000, making high-speed strikes widely affordable.
- Cheap hypersonics change the dynamics of strike capability versus legacy cruise missiles like the Tomahawk.
Cheap Materials Shrink Missile Costs
- The YKJ-1000 uses innovative, low-cost materials like foamed concrete for heat shielding to slash production costs.
- Lower component costs will drive mass adoption and iterative range and capability improvements.
Launchers Hidden As Shipping Containers
- The missile’s launcher mimics a standard shipping container, making deployment indistinguishable from civilian logistics.
- Camouflaged launchers undermine detection and enable covert, mobile strike networks.