Algeria test-fires apparent Chinese supersonic anti-ship missile in the Mediterranean
The Algerian military test-fired an anti-ship missile in the Mediterranean during an exercise near Oran. Images released by the military show a system resembling China’s CM-302, a supersonic missile designed to strike ships hundreds of kilometres away.
The missile was fired on Tuesday, November 10, during the “Sakr El-Moutawassit 2026” exercise, held off Algeria’s western coast. Supervised by Chief of Staff Saïd Chanegriha, the manoeuvres involved, among others, units responsible for coastal defence. A missile fired from land hit a naval target, which was destroyed with precision, according to the Algerian Ministry of National Defence.
The weapon used has drawn particular attention. After examining footage of the exercise, the South China Morning Post says the system resembles the CM-302, the export version of China’s YJ-12 missile. The mobile launcher shown by the Algerian military has several features of this equipment.
The CM-302 is designed to attack surface ships at high speed. Its stated range is about 280 kilometres, and it can travel at more than three times the speed of sound in the final phase of its flight. These characteristics theoretically make it possible to strike a ship from a land-based installation without directly deploying a military vessel.
The equipment had already attracted attention in Algeria. In May 2022, Bladi.net reported the appearance of the Chinese CM-302 system in Algeria’s arsenal, after photographs of a launcher vehicle were released. Images from the latest exercise now show a launch conducted in training conditions.
The exercise is part of the Algerian forces’ 2026-2027 combat readiness programme. The coastal defence system is intended to monitor maritime approaches and protect the coastline. The November 10 launch mainly provides new images of the capabilities available to Algiers to engage a target at sea.
