China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy successfully tested the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from the Type 055 destroyer Wuxi, showcasing its advanced capabilities, including near-vertical descent and Mach 6 speeds. This missile significantly extends the PLA Navy’s anti-access/area-denial range beyond 1,000 km, posing increased challenges to naval defenses in the Indo-Pacific, particularly for India amid China’s assertive maritime expansion. The urgency for India to develop indigenous hypersonic countermeasures and enhance QUAD interoperability is underscored, as these advancements could threaten vital sea lanes and national security. This development highlights the critical need for India to bolster its defense strategies in response to China’s rapidly modernizing military assets.