The YKJ-1000 has been nicknamed the “cement-coated” missile for its use of civilian-grade materials such as foamed concrete in its heat-resistant coating.

According to slides widely circulated online, the unit production cost of this missile, already in mass production after successful combat trials, may be as low as 700,000 yuan (around US$99,000).

A single SM-6 naval interceptor costs about US$4.1 million, over 40 times the price of one YKJ-1000.

Meanwhile, the THAAD system costs US$12-15 million for each interceptor, while the Patriot PAC-3 that Taiwan hopes to buy would cost US$3.7-4.2 million each.

This imbalance between low-cost offence and high-cost defence has the potential to change the logic of warfare.