C-802

C-802 is the export designation associated with the YJ-82 anti-ship cruise missile, an upgraded Chinese development from the earlier YJ-8/C-801 family. It introduced turbojet propulsion for longer reach and became one of China's best-known anti-ship missile exports. The weapon helped establish Chinese suppliers in the global market for coastal, naval, and air-launched anti-ship missiles.

C-802 uses subsonic cruise flight, sea-skimming terminal approach, and active radar homing to attack surface ships. It can be adapted for launch from ships, coastal batteries, submarines, or aircraft depending on variant and customer integration. Its design emphasizes affordability, exportability, and a credible threat to surface combatants in littoral waters.

C-802 gained international attention after Hezbollah used an anti-ship missile of this family against an Israeli naval vessel in 2006. That event showed how export cruise missiles can alter maritime risk even for advanced navies operating near shore. C-802 is therefore important not only as a Chinese weapon, but as a case study in missile proliferation and littoral warfare.